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Previous Volume 336:1730-1737 June 12, 1997 Number 24 Next

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Mammals need to maintain a nearly constant internal temperature. If the internal temperature deviates substantially from normal, metabolic functions generally deteriorate. The human thermoregulatory system usually maintains a core body temperature near 37°C. Perioperative hypothermia, however, is common because of the inhibition of thermoregulation induced by anesthesia and the patient's exposure to a cool environment. Hypothermia leads to numerous complications, including coagulopathy, morbid cardiac events, and a decreased resistance to surgical-wound infection.

Normal Thermoregulation

The processing of thermoregulatory information has three components: afferent thermal sensing, central regulation, and efferent responses. Together, they work to maintain the normal core body temperature. The core . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Afferent Input and Central Control

Efferent Responses

General Anesthesia

Thermoregulation

Heat Balance

Regional Anesthesia

Thermoregulation

Heat Balance and Shivering

Consequences and Treatment of Hypothermia

Consequences

Treating and Preventing Intraoperative Hypothermia

Conclusions

Source Information

From the Department of Anesthesia, University of California, San Francisco, and the Outcomes Research Laboratory, Department of Anesthesia and General Intensive Care, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.

Address reprint requests to Dr. Sessler at the Department of Anesthesia, University of California, San Francisco, CA 94143-0648.

References

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