Also known as Targeted Temperature Management (TTM). Following cardiac arrest, some patients who remain unconscious after successful resuscitation may be treated with controlled cooling, in which the body temperature is lowered to 32–36ºC. This reduces the brain’s oxygen requirements, decreases swelling, and limits the release of substances that can cause cell death, helping to protect the brain and other organs during recovery.
Targeted temperature management is supported by the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) and ILCOR guidelines and is a standard component of post-resuscitation care in many UK ICUs. The specific temperature target is determined by the clinical team based on the individual patient’s condition.
TTM has been shown to improve neurological outcomes and survival in patients who remain in a coma after cardiac arrest.