Abstract
The human body functions within a very narrow range of optimal core body temperature. Mechanisms are in place that enable it to thermoregulate despite large fluctuations in external temperature. Going beyond the normal physiologic range is poorly tolerated. Profound hypothermia is a devastating condition that warrants prompt recognition and management. This is a case of an 89-year-old man who was admitted for altered mental status. On arrival, the patient was found to be bradycardic, hypotensive, and hypothermic at 28.8°C. Warmed saline and vasopressors were started; an Icy catheter connected to a Zoll Coolgard was placed in the vena cava via the femoral vein and the patient was rewarmed at a rate of 1°C without complications. He was later transferred out of the coronary care unit hemodynamically stable. Although there are no clinical practice guidelines in place, severe hypothermia has been traditionally managed with invasive and aggressive rewarming techniques; endovascular catheters as an alternative for rapid and controlled rewarming may be a worthy and safe alternative to these more invasive procedures.
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