Scand J Trauma Resus
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Scand J Trauma Resus · Jan 2025
Randomized Controlled TrialExperimental hypothermia by cold air: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial.
Accidental hypothermia is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Research on treatment strategies for accidental hypothermia is complicated by the low incidence and heterogeneous patient population. We have developed a new method for clinical trials of experimental hypothermia, to enable further studies of active rewarming. If cold ambient air is effective as a cooling method, this would mimic the most frequent clinical setting of hypothermic patients and provide a feasible cooling method for field studies. We aimed to induce mild hypothermia in healthy volunteers by exposure to cold ambient air, and tested the hypothesis that drug-induced suppression of endogenous thermoregulation would be required. ⋯ The novel protocol utilizing cold air as a cooling method and drug-induced suppression of endogenous thermoregulation, is effective and enables future research projects. We have provided suggestions for minor alterations.