Therapeutic hypothermia in traumatology

As the new millennium approaches, renewed interest in therapeutic hypothermia for resuscitation of the brain after cardiac arrest and traumatic brain injury is leading to clinical trials. Laboratory studies suggest that during traumatic hemorrhagic shock, hypothermia has beneficial effects, whereas retrospective clinical studies suggest that hypothermia has detrimental effects. A controlled, clinical trial is needed. There is hope that victims of exsanguinating hemorrhage may be saved by suspended animation for preservation and delayed resuscitation.