Abstract
Editorial content will focus on multiple topics including new ongoing work to clarify mechanisms of hypothermic protection. Although therapeutic hypothermia is known to affect several injury cascades felt to be important in producing cell death and long-term functional consequences, temperature mechanisms remain an important research area. The Journal will publish studies that help clarify the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying hypothermic protection. Likewise, mechanisms underlying the detrimental consequences of mild hyperthermia and strategies to rewarm tissues safely after cooling will be emphasized. It is felt that continued study in this area will help advance the continued translation of this experimental therapy to the clinic.
Ongoing translational studies that summarize data from clinically relevant animal models of human disease will also be highlighted. It is critical that studies that incorporate bench-to-bedside, bedside-to-bench recommendations are emphasized in this emerging field. Thus use of hypothermia, as well as temperature management procedures, in preclinical models of system or organ injury will also be highlighted. It is felt that the publication of results from experimental models with clinically relevant outcome measures will help define therapeutic windows, clarify cooling durations and other factors that may contribute to hypothermia protection.
The temperature field has been successful in translating its preclinical findings to specific patient populations. The Journal will continue to emphasize the use of these therapies and treatment modalities in various patient populations. It is anticipated that the Journal will also promote the use of cooling strategies for new indications not yet described in the literature. Protecting viable tissues during invasive surgical procedures or during cellular or transplant procedure may ultimately promote tissue survival and better outcomes. In this regard, interesting case reports that provide novel information concerning the importance of temperature will be published. It is critical that clinical studies and multicenter trials that most rigorously evaluate the effects of temperature management on patient populations are also highlighted by this publication. Randomized multicenter trials are needed in this emerging field to determine efficacy. This new journal will provide a strong multidisciplinary forum to advance the understanding of these treatments.
Although therapeutic hypothermia is currently recommended in several clinical conditions, there remain questions and controversy regarding its use in other applications. We will continue to publish state-of-the-art roundtable discussions that will focus on current topics that require open discussions by experts in the field. These published discussions will allow groups of investigators to have a healthy debate on specific subjects relevant to the readers of the Journal.
Review articles summarizing experimental and clinical data on the topic of therapeutic hypothermia and temperature management can significantly contribute to this emerging field. Timely articles allow for organized summaries of published findings and help identify gaps in our knowledge base and future directions for research programs. Review articles focusing on temperature management in human disorders including trauma, cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction, stroke, neurogenic fever, emergency and intensive care medicine, anesthesiology, and other indications will therefore be summarized in the Journal.
The use of hypothermia and temperature management is continuing to increase worldwide as new indications are identified. However, as potential applications increase, new questions regarding how best to administer hypothermia are being debated in the literature and at scientific conferences. For example, in some situations, surface cooling appears to be the safest and most straightforward approach, while intravascular strategies may have distinctive advantages in other conditions. Likewise, questions regarding whether to cool systemically or regionally may depend on the development of specialized cooling devices that allow therapeutic temperatures to be achieved with minimally invasive strategies. These examples of current and emerging questions and controversies will be highlighted and discussed in this publication. Each issue will include The Arctic Challenge, a Clinical Q&A that will provide practical advice and share knowledge within the community. It is hoped that this publication may aid in the establishment of cooling and temperature management guidelines for the clinical setting to ensure best patient outcomes and safety.
Our journal will be highly competitive with all articles receiving high caliber peer review. We are fortunate that we have been able to assemble a strong international editorial board along with European and Australasian Editors to enhance our global presence. We are grateful to our Editorial Board and authors and our reviewers for their support of this new venture. As Editor-in-Chief, I look forward to your active participation in Therapeutic Hypothermia, and welcome your most exciting and informative manuscript submissions.