[Arctic Sun System for hypothermia treatment after near-drowning].

BACKGROUND: Hypothermia is frequently observed in near-downing victims, and rewarming is difficult to control. We describe the use of an automatic heating system (Arctic Sun Temperature Management System). The device consists of hydrogel coated pads that adhere to the patient's abdomen, back and thighs, and react to patient temperature by automatically adjusting the circulating pad water temperature to achieve a preset patient target temperature. Temperature is measured by a bladder temperature probe. The process of warming can be adjusted to allow the body temperature to increase at a rate from 0.5 to 1.0 degree C h(-1).

CASE REPORT: A 62-yr-old woman was rescued from the Vistula river after a suicide attempt. The temperature of the river water was 150C and it was not possible to estimate the time she was submerged. On admission she was conscious and maintaining partially logical communication. She was hypothermic (temperature measured in the bladder was 32.7 degrees C), and dyspnoeic (SaO2 < 0.7). She was intubated and placed on a ventilator, her chest x-ray revealing bilateral patchy opacities. The Arctic Sun Temperature Management System was used for heating and the patient was warmed to 36.5 degrees C over 6 h. She was extubated after 48 h and transferred to a psychiatric ward two days later. No neurologic sequelae were observed.

DISCUSSION: The Arctic Sun System has been developed for accurate control of body temperature in patients requiring moderate hypothermia during the post-resuscitation phase, in stroke and/or cranial trauma patients. It can be also used for management of accidental hypothermia.