Comprehensive Physiology Wiley Online Library

Limits of Tolerance to Hypothermia

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Abstract

The sections in this article are:

1 Defining Limits of Hypothermic Tolerance
2 Hypothermia‐Induced Physiological Cascade: Limits of Tolerance
2.1 Central Nervous System
2.2 Cardiovascular System
2.3 Respiratory System
2.4 Renal
2.5 Blood
2.6 Acid–Base Balance
2.7 Fluids, Electrolytes
2.8 Gastrointestinal Physiology
2.9 Endocrine System
2.10 Immune System
2.11 Rewarming: Extending Tolerance Levels
2.12 Skin‐Perfusion and ‐Reperfusion Studies
3 Summary
Figure 1. Figure 1.

Hypothetical fall in core temperature during primary hypothermia can be successfully reversed at various points, depending on core temperature. Arrows represent a reversal of hypothermia by various methods.

Figure 2. Figure 2.

Hypothetical fall in core temperature during secondary hypothermia can be successfully reversed. However, due to underlying pathophysiological conditions, the range of unassisted recovery is much shorter than that in Figure 1. Arrows represent a reversal of hypothermia by various methods.



Figure 1.

Hypothetical fall in core temperature during primary hypothermia can be successfully reversed at various points, depending on core temperature. Arrows represent a reversal of hypothermia by various methods.



Figure 2.

Hypothetical fall in core temperature during secondary hypothermia can be successfully reversed. However, due to underlying pathophysiological conditions, the range of unassisted recovery is much shorter than that in Figure 1. Arrows represent a reversal of hypothermia by various methods.

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R. S. Pozos, P. A. Iaizzo, D. F. Danzl, W. T. Mills. Limits of Tolerance to Hypothermia. Compr Physiol 2011, Supplement 14: Handbook of Physiology, Environmental Physiology: 557-575. First published in print 1996. doi: 10.1002/cphy.cp040125