• QJM · Dec 2002

    Review

    Pathophysiology of accidental hypothermia.

    • M L Mallet.
    • Medical Assessment Unit, Royal United Hospital, Bath, UK. mark.mallet@ruh-bath.swest.nhs.uk
    • QJM. 2002 Dec 1;95(12):775-85.

    AbstractAccidental hypothermia is an uncommon problem that affects people of all ages, but particularly the elderly. This review briefly outlines the aetiological factors that may predispose to hypothermia, with particular reference to the effects of sepsis, although the specific situation of cold-water immersion is not addressed. A more detailed analysis of the pathophysiology of hypothermia then examines the cardiovascular, haematological, neurological, respiratory, renal, metabolic, and gastrointestinal systems. Clinically relevant findings are highlighted and some associated management points are related to the physiological changes. Most of these changes are reversible on rewarming, and are resistant to pharmacological manipulation; some of the pathological effects are related more to the process of rewarming than to the hypothermia itself.

      Pubmed     Free full text   Copy Citation     Plaintext  

      Add institutional full text...

    Notes

     
    Knowledge, pearl, summary or comment to share?
    300 characters remaining
    help        
    You can also include formatting, links, images and footnotes in your notes
    • Simple formatting can be added to notes, such as *italics*, _underline_ or **bold**.
    • Superscript can be denoted by <sup>text</sup> and subscript <sub>text</sub>.
    • Numbered or bulleted lists can be created using either numbered lines 1. 2. 3., hyphens - or asterisks *.
    • Links can be included with: [my link to pubmed](http://pubmed.com)
    • Images can be included with: ![alt text](https://bestmedicaljournal.com/study_graph.jpg "Image Title Text")
    • For footnotes use [^1](This is a footnote.) inline.
    • Or use an inline reference [^1] to refer to a longer footnote elseweher in the document [^1]: This is a long footnote..

    hide…

What will the 'Medical Journal of You' look like?

Start your free 21 day trial now.

We guarantee your privacy. Your email address will not be shared.