One night in a snowbank: a case report of severe hypothermia and cardiac arrest

Resuscitation. 2005 Jun;65(3):365-8. doi: 10.1016/j.resuscitation.2004.12.018.

Abstract

Hypothermia < 28 degrees C is rarely compatible with life, with only a few cases described surviving such low temperatures. We present a case of a man who survived with a core body temperature below 21.0 degrees C after spending a night in a snowbank with an ambient temperatures as low as -20.0 degrees C. Prolonged CPR and early initiation of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation enabled survival without neurological deficit at hospital discharge. Frostbite was limited to both hands and all toes only; although the entire upper and lower extremity appeared to be deeply frozen on admission, amputation of both hands was inevitable and resulted in permanent disability.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Amputation, Surgical
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation / methods*
  • Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation
  • Frostbite / etiology
  • Frostbite / surgery
  • Hand / blood supply*
  • Heart Arrest / etiology
  • Heart Arrest / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Hypothermia / complications
  • Hypothermia / therapy*
  • Ischemia / therapy*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Treatment Outcome