There is significant cardiac risk to hypothermic victims. There is a cardiac condition called ventricular fibrillation (v-fib). This is where the heart does not produce a coordinated contraction of the heart muscle (top to bottom); instead the heart muscle contracts almost like a bowl of Jell-O. The heart no longer functions as a pump, depriving itself, organs and tissues of oxygen. If not reversed, the heart will eventually stop altogether. Hypothermic victims who are rapidly re-warmed and/or roughly handled can go into v-fib easily. Treat hypothermic patients with “kid gloves”, using heat packs on hypothermic patients will not re-warm the body’s core; they mainly serve to prevent further heat loss. Check out the web site below for additional information.

Hypothermia


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