Mild hypothermia: core body temperature < 35C
Severe hypothermia: core body temperature < 28C
Signs associated with moderate hypothermia include:
- Bradycardia, atrial arrhythmias
- Hypotension
- Hypoventilation
- Dilated pupils
- Hyporeflexia
Signs associated with severe hypothermia include:
- Ventricular arrhythmias or asystole
- Coma
- Unreactive pupils
- Pulmonary oedema
Investigations
- ECG
- J wave
- arrhythmias
- ABG
- Metabolic acidosis
- Bloods
- FBC - ? thrombocytopenia due to hepatosplenic sequestration
- Coagulation – hypothermia can cause coagulopathy
Treatment:
- Mild to moderate hypothermia: passive rewarming
- Severe hypothermia: active rewarming
Small print gem: neuroleptic drugs can predispose people to hypothermia as they disrupt hypothalamic functioning and hence thermoregulation.
References
