Date of Award
2027
Document Type
Capstone
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Physician Assistant Studies
Committee Chair
Dr. LaDonna Clark
Abstract
Introduction: Targeted temperature management plays an important role in post-cardiac arrest care and is aimed at reducing neurologic injury and improving survival following ROSC. While therapeutic hypothermia was once considered the standard of care, recent studies have questioned whether it provides additional benefit over targeted normothermia. This review evaluated current evidence comparing targeted hypothermia with targeted normothermia in adult patients following cardiac arrest.
Methods: A PubMed search was performed using key terms related to cardiac arrest, temperature management, mortality, and neurologic outcomes. The search was limited to randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, narrative reviews, and meta-analyses published within this past five years. Four studies that most directly addressed the clinical question were selected for review based on their relevance and level of evidence.
Results: Across the included studies, targeted hypothermia did not demonstrate a statistically significant improvement in mortality or favorable neurologic outcomes compared with targeted normothermia. Three systematic reviews and meta-analyses and one narrative review found comparable mortality and neurologic outcome between treatment strategies. Several studies also reported higher rates of adverse events among patients treated with targeted hypothermia.
Discussion: Current evidence suggests that targeted hypothermia does not provide improved clinical outcomes when compared with targeted normothermia following cardiac arrest. Instead, targeted normothermia appears to achieve similar survival and neurologic outcomes while minimizing treatment-related complications. Future research should focus on developing additional neuroprotective therapies to improve long-term neurologic recovery after cardiac arrest.
Recommended Citation
Johnston L. Post-Cardiac Arrest Care: Evaluating Targeted Hypothermia and Targeted Normothermia. The PA Department Journal of Medical Science. 2026. https://digitalcommons.gardner-webb.edu/pa-department-journal-of-medical-science/94
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