Hypothermia and rewarming induced by surface and He-O2 inhalate temperature control.

Hypothermia and rewarming were induced by a combination of temperature-controlled surface and inhalate methods in rabbits. To facilitate respiratory heat exchange, inhalate-respiratory tract temperature and humidity gradients and thermal conductivity were increased. In addition, the upper respiratory tract was bypassed by an endotracheal tube. To aid in maintaining satisfactory circulatory dynamics, hypercapnia and hypoxia were induced. The combined surface and inhalate method produced a markedly more effective rate of cooling than surface temperature-controlled method alone. Animals survived core temperatures as low as 20.9 degrees C with no complications. The noninvasive simplicity of this method suggests its potential applicability in many clinical situations.