Survivor Story: How Automated CPR Revived a Patient With Severe Hypothermia

Survivor Story: How Automated CPR Revived a Patient With Severe Hypothermia

Did you know that immediate CPR can save someone that’s dying from hypothermia?

That was the case when a Michigan hospital used Michigan Instruments Life-Stat automated CPR device to revive a patient with severe, near-fatal hypothermia. Below is the patient’s survivor story. 

Early Intervention, Dire Circumstances

It was the middle of winter in Michigan when a 56-year-old man was found face down in the snow; frozen and unresponsive. 

At EMS’ time of arrival, he had a Glasgow Coma Scale (GSC) of 6. A GSC of 3-8 is known as “severe” condition. The patient also had pinpoint pupils and was given NARCAN®, but was still unresponsive.

When he arrived at the hospital, the unresponsive patient’s condition dropped to a GSC of 3. That’s when CPR was initiated with the Michigan Instruments Life-Stat automated CPR device, along with intubation. 

He was experiencing ventricular fibrillation, considered the most serious cardiac rhythm disturbance. One attempt at defibrillation was made, but the temperature of the patient was 25 degrees Celsius (77°F).

Therefore, no further shocks were delivered.

Interested in learning more about our Life-Stat automated CPR device? Contact us today.

Automated CPR and Hypothermia

The patient remained on the Life-Stat automated CPR Device, while an intravascular warming catheter was inserted into the femoral artery. An esophageal warming device was also administered. 

These warming devices were used in conjunction with the Life-Stat device for 3 hours and 45 minutes. During that time, his temperature rose from 25 degrees to 30 degrees Celsius (82°F). Once his temperature rose, another shock was administered, but this was also unsuccessful. 

Then, the patient was given an epinephrine drip and additional shocks. Finally, he opened his eyes and moved his extremities. 

Only one hour later, he was able to follow commands while still on a ventilator.

A Miraculous Recovery

Eventually, the patient moved to the ICU to undergo additional tests and imaging. According to these tests, there were no signs of edema on his head or chest. 

While in ICU, he weaned off the drips, was extubated and slowly improved. Nine days after his arrival in the ER, he was discharged.

When asked how often the automatic CPR device was used in the hospital, Dr. Joseph Miller (MD, MS) responded with; “we use it daily, for every cardiac arrest.”

Interested in learning more about our Life-Stat automated CPR device? Contact us today.

Hypothermia and CPR: Michigan Instruments Life-Stat Device Saves Lives Every Day

This survivor’s story is just one of many examples where a Michigan Instruments automated CPR device was used to administer continuous, consistent CPR to cardiac arrest patients in a prolonged resuscitation. 

Light enough to be incorporated into any hospital crash cart set up and perform precise, programmed, hands-free CPR, you’ll never get tired with our Life-Stat or Thumper CPR machines.

Learn more about our automated CPR devices and how they can be used in both hospital and pre-hospital settings. Contact us today.