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Overview :
Mair et al
identified laboratory tests associated with poor prognosis for patients with
severe hypothermia. This can help identify those patients for whom further
attempts at resuscitation may be futile. The authors are from the University of Innsbruck in Austria.
Parameters:
(1) serum
potassium
(2) central
venous pH
(3) activated
clotting time using 2 mL central venous blood and celite as activator
The risk of
survival was poor with:
(1) serum
potassium > 9 mmol/L
(2) central
venous pH < 6.50
(3) activated
clotting time > 400 seconds
The presence of
one or more of these findings indicates a patient with a poor prognosis. While a few patients may be
resuscitated with these findings, their measurement can help support clinical
judgment. In addition, it can help triage patients if the number of victims
exceeds the ability to provide cardiopulmonary bypass support.
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