Meta-Analysis of Therapeutic Hypothermia for Traumatic Brain Injury in Adult and Pediatric Patients

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hypothermia-for-traumatic-brain-injury

Therapeutic hypothermia is a likely beneficial treatment following TBI in adults, improving both neurologic outcomes and decreasing mortality rates. Our work suggests that the optimal management strategy to improve both morbidity and mortality was determined to be selective brain cooling to 33°. We then suggest maintaining this temperature for 72 hours, followed by a period of spontaneous rewarming at the natural rate, although the dataset for this advice is smaller. Barbiturates may be used to control ICP, but this may limit the effectiveness of the hypothermia therapy. TH is not recommended for use in children with TBI. RCTs with these targets in mind may help to provide more definitive clinical protocols.

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