The most important topics in fulminant hepatic failure are cerebral edema and intracranial hypertension. Among all therapeutic options, systemic induced hypothermia to 33 - 34ºC has been reported to reduce the high pressure and increase the time during which patients can tolerate a graft. This review discusses the indications and adverse effects of hypothermia.
Hypothermia; Transplantation; Liver failure, acute
The patient showed a normal computed tomography scan on admission. On the fifth day, there was a marked loss of the normal sulci pattern. As malignant brain edema progressed, the loss of normal grey/white differentiation was noted, and a marked loss of the basal cisterns and brainstem compression were observed. The patient was refractory to medical treatment and died while waiting for a donor.
Therapeutic hypothermia is considered when early signs of brain edema appear on a computed tomography scan, ideally under intracranial pressure monitoring. CT - computed tomography; TCD - transcranial Doppler; ICP - intracranial pressure; CPP - cerebral perfusion pressure; Na - sodium plasma levels; PaCO2 - partial pressure of carbono dioxide.
Therapeutic hypothermia is considered when early signs of brain edema appear on a computed tomography scan, ideally under intracranial pressure monitoring. CT - computed tomography; TCD - transcranial Doppler; ICP - intracranial pressure; CPP - cerebral perfusion pressure; Na - sodium plasma levels; PaCO2 - partial pressure of carbono dioxide.
The patient showed a normal computed tomography scan on admission. On the fifth day, there was a marked loss of the normal sulci pattern. As malignant brain edema progressed, the loss of normal grey/white differentiation was noted, and a marked loss of the basal cisterns and brainstem compression were observed. The patient was refractory to medical treatment and died while waiting for a donor.
Therapeutic hypothermia is considered when early signs of brain edema appear on a computed tomography scan, ideally under intracranial pressure monitoring. CT - computed tomography; TCD - transcranial Doppler; ICP - intracranial pressure; CPP - cerebral perfusion pressure; Na - sodium plasma levels; PaCO2 - partial pressure of carbono dioxide.
Therapeutic hypothermia is considered when early signs of brain edema appear on a computed tomography scan, ideally under intracranial pressure monitoring. CT - computed tomography; TCD - transcranial Doppler; ICP - intracranial pressure; CPP - cerebral perfusion pressure; Na - sodium plasma levels; PaCO2 - partial pressure of carbono dioxide.
