Kansas EMS Crews Adopt Therapeutic Hypothermia
Johnson County is one of the only crews in the Midwest using the technology.
OVERLAND PARK, Kan. --
Emergency crews in Johnson County, Kan., are using therapeutic hypothermia to help keep heart attack victims alive.
Each ambulance is now equipped with a chilled IV unit that can be used on heart attack patients. Medical officials said that when the chilled saline solution is injected it helps lower a patient's body temperature to 93 degrees Fahrenheit.
Medics said when the victim's body temperature is lowered during cardiac arrest, the brain doesn't need as much oxygen to survive. Medical experts said this dramatically increases a patient's chance of survival.
"The studies show the patients are more likely to have a complete neurological recovery," said Dr. Lester Richardson. "That they'll be able to walk out of the hospital. That the chances that they'll survive the heart attack are improved. All across the table, it shows improvement."
Johnson County is one of the only crews in the Midwest using the technology.
Copyright 2010 by KCTV5.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
