A hypothermic regime for acute respiratory failure.

A sixteen month old girl developed acute respiratory failure from pulmonary oedema, and acute circulatory failure, following postoperative laryngeal obstruction. Her condition deteriorated despite mechanical ventilation with PEEP. She was finally treated with a combination of mild hypothermia, profound muscle paralysis and deep sedation for five days, after which she made a full recovery. This case confirms the previously reported value of such therapy when standard measures fail.