Hypothermia in cerebral resuscitation.

A correlative review of experimental and clinical brain injury was undertaken for the purpose of assessing the therapeutic value of the delayed application of hypothermia in the management of cerebral injury. For any post-injury treatment to be possible, it must be assumed that there is a progressive intrinsic adverse response of the brain to injury for some hours after the actual injury. The value of any therapeutic effort in treating the injured brain remains to be proven, although there is considerable theoretical and indirect clinical evidence to suggest that hypothermia may be a potent tool. Study should be directed toward a clinically applicable technique which would provide means of distinguishing between reversible and irreversible interruption of cerebral function.