Wiener klinische Wochenschrift
-
Wien. Klin. Wochenschr. · Feb 2004
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialActive warming of critically ill trauma patients during intrahospital transfer: a prospective, randomized trial.
Hypothermia in trauma victims is a frequently observed phenomenon in acute care. Known complications of hypothermia are impaired wound healing, cardiac complications, hemodynamic instability, impaired immune function and increased blood loss. We compared active warming versus passive warming in hypothermia in critical-care patients undergoing intrahospital transfer from ICU to computer tomography (CT). ⋯ Hypothermia is common when critically ill trauma patients require intrahospital transport for diagnostic procedures. Resistive heating during intrahospital transport kept the core temperature stable and assured normothermia in all actively warmed patients. We therefore recommend active warming for critically ill trauma patients during intrahospital transport.