Back to Search
Start Over
Therapeutic hypothermia for comatose survivors after near-hanging-a retrospective analysis.
- Source :
-
Resuscitation [Resuscitation] 2009 Feb; Vol. 80 (2), pp. 210-2. Date of Electronic Publication: 2008 Dec 05. - Publication Year :
- 2009
-
Abstract
- Background: Patients who survive after suicidal hanging attempts suffer from transient brain ischaemia. Morbidity and mortality is high, and no specific therapy is available. Hypothermia attenuates ischaemic brain damage and has become standard care in comatose survivors of cardiac arrest; therapeutic hypothermia may thus be useful for near-hanging victims as well.<br />Objectives: To perform a literature review on outcome and outcome predictors after near-hanging. To make a retrospective chart review on treatment and outcome of near-hanging victims in two Swedish intensive care units during a 4-year period (2003-2006).<br />Methods: The literature review was conducted as a Medline search. Study patients were identified and data retrieved from the intensive care units' medical records. The primary outcome measure was neurological function at discharge.<br />Results: No randomised, controlled trials were found in the Medline search. Thirteen patients could be identified and were included in the study, all were in coma and three had suffered cardiac arrest. Outcome was good in six of eight patients treated with hypothermia, as compared to three of five patients who were not. All three patients with cardiac arrest received hypothermia treatment and outcome was good in one.<br />Conclusion: No randomised, controlled trial for treatment of near-hanging victims has been published. No conclusions could be drawn regarding treatment effects of hypothermia in this survey, but in the absence of better evidence, it seems reasonable to consider hypothermia treatment in all comatose near-hanging victims.
- Subjects :
- Adult
Asphyxia complications
Coma
Female
Heart Arrest therapy
Humans
Hypoxia, Brain etiology
Intensive Care Units
Length of Stay
Male
Middle Aged
Neck Injuries complications
Retrospective Studies
Survivors
Treatment Outcome
Young Adult
Asphyxia therapy
Hypothermia, Induced
Hypoxia, Brain prevention & control
Neck Injuries therapy
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0300-9572
- Volume :
- 80
- Issue :
- 2
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Resuscitation
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 19058895
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resuscitation.2008.10.013