Hyperthermia following cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

To clarify the clinical nature of post-resuscitation hyperthermia, we reviewed the charts of 18 patients who had cardiac arrest on arrival and regained cardiovascular stability for a study period of sufficient length. Patients with trauma, burns, poisoning and cerebrovascular accidents were excluded. We analyzed the hyperthermia (above 38 degrees C) occurring in the initial 48 h after resuscitation. After resuscitation, most patients showed a rapid rise in body temperature. Patients with later brain death showed significantly earlier appearance of hyperthermia (6.2 h after cardiac resuscitation; median) and a higher peak temperature (39.8 degrees C; median) compared with patients showing prolonged coma (12.7 h and 38.3 degrees C, respectively). Hyperthermia above 39 degrees C was associated with subsequent brain death. The incidence of factors influencing body temperature did not differ between the brain death and prolonged coma groups. Patients achieving full recovery did not show hyperthermia. In conclusion, hyperthermia is an early indicator of brain damage after resuscitation.