Therapeutic Hypothermia Treatment 

Therapeutic hypothermia treatment, also known as cardiac cooling, can improve a heart attack patient's chances at a full recovery. In September 2009, OSF St. Joseph Medical Center began using therapeutic hypothermia treatment.

The therapy is for adults age 18 and older who have been quickly and successfully resuscitated following cardiac arrests. In this situation, they have regained their pulse and blood pressure, but are still unresponsive. OSF St. Joseph Medical Center is the only hospital in McLean County offering therapeutic hypothermia treatment to its patients.

How Does it Work?

A cardiac cooling blanket which is filled with cold water is placed on the patient's body. The blanket causes the patient's body temperature to drop to 94 degrees. After 24 hours or when physicians deem the patient ready, the patient's body is gradually re-warmed. The re-warming process can take up to six hours.

Cooling the body decreases the release of chemicals that cause injury to the brain and the consumption of oxygen by the brain. It also reduces the amount of acid in the brain, allowing neurons to stabilize, thus, helping to preserve brain function.

Cardiac Cooling Restores Full Mental Capacity for OSF St. Joseph Patient

On January 19, 2010, Beatrice Williford, 66, arrived at the Emergency Department at OSF Saint James-John W. Albrecht Medical Center in Pontiac, unresponsive with CPR in progress. After being successfully resuscitated and placed on life support, Beatrice was quickly transferred to OSF St. Joseph Medical Center's Comprehensive Care Unit, arriving in critical condition. Upon arrival in Bloomington, intensivist Ravi Kashyap, MD, suggested therapeutic hypothermia treatment to Beatrice's son Sam Williford. Therapeutic hypothermia treatment was available to Beatrice because she arrived within the approximate six-hour window of opportunity, meaning any brain damage that occurred due to cardiac arrest was not yet permanent.

"My first thought was that we didn't have many options. My mom was in bad shape," Sam said. "After Dr. Kashyap explained the treatment to me, I agreed to do anything they thought might help."

After three to four hours of cooling, Beatrice suffered a second cardiac arrest. Following a second resuscitation, Dr. Kashyap ceased the cooling process and began re-warming her body. Three days later, Beatrice was fully coherent, talking, and had total control of her body's movement. Beatrice Williford had made a full recovery.

"She looks stronger than she was before she had the heart attack." Sam said. "I'm really glad her physicians were able to utilize this new treatment. It made a huge difference."

The therapy has been available at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center in Bloomington since September 1, 2009, however, this is the first patient physicians were able to utilize the treatment.