Abstract
In this issue of Therapeutic Hypothermia and Temperature Management, several original articles are included that will be of interest to our readership. An article by Dr. Ahn and colleagues discusses factors associated with patient transfer decisions to hospitals with targeted temperature experience in Korea. Dr. Beaulieu and colleagues provide the results of a single center study on the effects of therapeutic hypothermia on serum electrolyte concentrations, including potassium and magnesium to determine electrolyte depletions. Another study by Dr. Bhatti and colleagues describes using a relatively new esophageal temperature management approach to determine the effectiveness in controlling core temperature in traumatic brain injury cases. In a retrospective study by Dr. Arriaga-Redondo and colleagues, correlations between regional rates of cerebral tissue oxygen saturation and adverse neurological outcomes were determined in neonates. Dr. Schroeder and colleagues compared two cooling strategies for temperature management, including esophageal heat exchanger versus a water-circulating cooling blanket to compare cooling rate accuracy during the maintenance and rewarming periods using a porcine model. Dr. Wright and colleagues present an observational study of patients with anoxic brain injury after cardiopulmonary resuscitation to determine the effects of hypothermia on organ donation outcomes. In another study using an intravascular cooling device, Dr. Piclet and colleagues present a case report describing an incidental finding of an inferior vena cava extended thrombus in a patient with traumatic brain injury and coagulation disorders.
In addition to these clinical and experimental studies, a new Arctic Challenge is included in this issue. In this challenge, important and timely questions regarding the use of therapeutic hypothermia in different patient populations is discussed by experts in the field. Appropriate citations that will help the reader further evaluate the importance of these discussions is also included. Again we thank the authors for their important contributions as well as our editorial board for their critical support in reviewing these articles in a timely manner.