The Annals of thoracic surgery
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Induced hypothermia may be used to reduce metabolism in acute respiratory failure. Hypothermia is accompanied by an increase in pulmonary vascular resistance, as also seen in the early period after lung transplantation. It was our concern that the combination of the two would lead to an increased workload on the right ventricle. ⋯ Induced hypothermia to 32 degrees C after lung transplantation resulted in a significant decrease in the work done by the right ventricle despite a significant increase in pulmonary vascular resistance.