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Intravascular Temperature Control System to Maintain Normothermia in Organ Donors

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Abstract

Introduction

Temperature regulation in humans is controlled by the hypothalamus. After death by neurological criteria, the hypothalamus ceases to function and poikilothermia ensues. Preservation of normothermia in those patients destined to become organ donors is an important part of maintaining the normal physiology of the organs and organ systems. Typical means of achieving normothermia include increasing the temperature of the ambient air, infrared warming lights, instillation of warmed intravenous fluids, and warm air or water blankets.

Methods

In this prospective case series of five organ donors, we used an intravascular temperature modulation catheter (Alsius, Irvine, CA) to maintain normothermia in organ donors declared dead by neurological criteria. Data on accuracy of temperature maintenance at 37°C and nursing ease of use were collected.

Results

This intravascular temperature modulation catheter provided an accurate method of temperature regulation in brain death donor and easier to use from a nursing workload perspective.

Conclusions

Intravascular warming is a viable method for the maintenance of normothermia in organ donors. The experience here provides some insight into the ability of these devices to warm patients in other clinical situations.

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Acknowledgments

Alsius Corporation provided the Fortius heat exchange catheters for this series. Alsius also supplied a modest stipend for enrolling each of the donors in this study and analyzed the raw data downloaded from the CoolGard heat exchange devices. Alsius provided no input into the study design, into the collection and interpretation of data; in the writing of the manuscript; or in the decision to submit the manuscript for publication. This research was supported by a grant from Alsius Corporation.

Conflicts of Interest: Drs. Bleck and Nathan have been consultants for Alsius Corp.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Davee Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurological Sciences, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine, 710 N. Lake Shore Dr. Abbott Hall, Room 1123, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA

    Sarice L. Bassin

  2. Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA

    Thomas P. Bleck

  3. Evanston Northwestern Healthcare, Evanston, IL, 60201, USA

    Thomas P. Bleck

  4. Departments of Neurology and Internal Medicine, University of Virginia, 800394 HSC, Charlottesville, VA, 22903, USA

    Barnett R. Nathan

Authors
  1. Sarice L. Bassin
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  2. Thomas P. Bleck
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  3. Barnett R. Nathan
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Barnett R. Nathan.

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Bassin, S.L., Bleck, T.P. & Nathan, B.R. Intravascular Temperature Control System to Maintain Normothermia in Organ Donors. Neurocrit Care 8, 31–35 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12028-007-9008-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12028-007-9008-0

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