Vnitr̆ní lékar̆ství
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Vnitr̆ní lékar̆ství · May 2011
Review[Infectious complications in patients after cardiac arrest undergoing therapeutic hypothermia].
Therapeutic hypothermia is currently recommended neuroprotective therapeutic measure for comatose patients after cardiac arrest. Hypothermia has been proven not only to affect the neurological outcomes but also the survival of patients after cardiac arrest. This communication summarizes the issue of early infectious complications in patients after cardiac arrest undergoing therapeutic hypothermia. ⋯ Furthermore, there are discussed limited diagnostic options of infectious complications. The significance of the usual symptoms of infections is reduced, as well as the value of laboratory markers such as procalcitonin and C-reactive protein. Finally, the possibility of antibiotic treatment and eventual antibiotic prophylaxis during therapeutic hypothermia in patients after cardiac arrest outside hospitals is mentioned.