Deep Hypothermia Attenuates Microglial Proliferation Independent of Neuronal Death After Prolonged Cardiac Arrest in Rats

Abstract

Deeper levels of hypothermia induced by the IC versus RT flush resulted in better neurological outcome in survivors. Surprisingly, deep hypothermia attenuated microglial activation but not hippocampal neuronal death. Minocycline had modest benefit on neurologic outcome in survivors but did not attenuate microglial activation in brain. Our findings suggest a novel effect of deep hypothermia on microglial proliferation during exsanguination CA.