The AHA’s emphasis on TTM as a vital component of post-cardiac arrest care highlights its role in improving patient survival and neurological function. Ongoing research is essential to refine the guidelines and better define the optimal temperature targets for different types of patients. However, for now, maintaining normothermia and carefully controlling temperature post-cardiac arrest remains a cornerstone of critical care.
As many as 4 points out of the “top 10” American Heart Association AHA recommendations on Adult Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support refer to conducting TTM therapy.
“Top 10 Take-Home Messages for the 2023 Focused Update on Adult Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support:
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5. We recommend that all adults who do not follow commands after return of spontaneous circulation, regardless of arrest location or presenting rhythm, receive treatment that includes a deliberate strategy for temperature control.
6. We recommend selecting and maintaining a constant temperature between 32° C and 37.5° C during postarrest temperature control.
7. There is insufficient evidence to recommend a specific therapeutic temperature for different subgroups of patients with cardiac arrest.
8. Patients with spontaneous hypothermia after return of spontaneous circulation who do not follow commands should not be routinely actively or passively rewarmed faster than 0.5° C per hour.
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https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001194
„(…)American Heart Association agreed on the following: For unresponsive post–cardiac arrest adult patients with characteristics similar to those of individuals included in the TTM2 trial (OHCA of cardiac or unknown cause, excluding those with unwitnessed asystole), controlling patient temperature to <37.5° C is a reasonable and evidence-based approach. (…)„
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001164