Extreme hypothermia and ventricular fibrillation.

A 31-year-old white man with a core temperature of 60.8 F (16 C) and ventricular fibrillation was successfullly resuscitated using active core and external rewarming techniques. Rectal temperature at the time of reestablished electromechanical cardiac activity was 68 F (20 C), a temperature previously thought to be incompatible with successful resuscitation from venticular fibrillation. We are not aware of previous case reports describing survival following a lower documented core temperature.