Complications
Possible complications of hypothermia include:
- pulmonary complications:
- bronchopneumonia
- pulmonary oedema or pulmonary hypertension may be induced by rapid rewarming
- cardiac complications:
- bradyarrhythmias
- atrial fibrillation
- ventricular fibrillation
- (all types of cardiac arrhythmias are known to occur, the most common being atrial fibrillation and ventricular fibrillation. Atrial fibrillation may resolve spontaneously as the patient is re-warmed) (1)
- metabolic complications:
- hypercapnia
- acidosis
- hypoxia
- hypoglycaemia
- gastrointestinal complications:
- gastric or colonic dilatation
- possible pancreatitis (2)
- rigidity of muscles
- frostbite
- disseminated intravascular coagulation
References
- Lott C, Truhlář A, Alfonzo A, et al. European Resuscitation Council Guidelines 2021: Cardiac arrest in special circumstances. Resuscitation. 2021 Apr;161:152-219.
- Foulis AK. Morphological study of the relation between accidental hypothermia and acute pancreatitis. J Clin Pathol. 1982 Nov;35(11):1244-8.
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