Theraputic peritoneal lavage

Overview
  • Active internal re-warming for hypothermic patients

Indications

Consider in:

  • Severe Hypothermia
  • Cardiovascular instability / life-threatening dysrhythmias
  • Moderate hypothermia which fails to respond to less aggressive measures

Procedure
  • Catheter placement is similar to that used for diagnostic peritoneal lavage.
  • May consider two catheters, one for installation and one for drainage [1]
  • Infuse 10 to 20 mL/kg of isotonic saline warmed to approximately 42°C
  • Leave fluid in the peritoneal cavity for 20 minutes, then remove
  • Overall exchange rate is 6 L/hour

See Also

References
  1. Danzl DF, Pozos RS. Accidental hypothermia. N Engl J Med. 1994;331(26):1756-60.
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