Recovery After Prolonged Asystolic Cardiac Arrest in Profound Hypothermia

Abstract

Asystole can be the presenting ECG finding of accidental hypothermia when the core temperature is less than 28 degrees C. Even two hours of persistent asystole does not represent irreversible cardiac compromise. With cardiopulmonary support and active rewarming, resuscitation and survival without serious sequelae can be achieved. Case reports and electrophysiology studies suggest that asystole is a primary manifestation of hypothermia potentiated by carbon dioxide retention. However, ventricular fibrillation in this setting is probably a secondary complication of resuscitation efforts, being precipitated by hypocapnic alkalosis, physical manipulation of the heart, and rewarming.