The Collapsed Athlete

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Background

History
Epidemiology

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Introduction

Pathophysiology

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Hypothermia

General

• Core temperature drops below 35°C (95°F)
• Occurs when total body heat loss exceeds physiologic heat production
• As hypothermia worsens, vitals signs decrease slowly until cardiac arrest occurs
• Organs affected: heart, brain, kidney, blood coagulation, and, possibly, the immune system

Clinical Features

• History of cold exposure
• Mild symptoms: shivering, cold peripheral
• Severe symptoms: altered, bradycardic, cardiac arrest
• Level of consciousness is best way to measure severity in absence of core temp

Treatment

• Can be broken down into stages 1 to 4
• Stage 1: mild, active movement, passive rewarming
• Stage 2: moderately ill, passive and active rewarming
• Stage 3: critically ill, passive and active rewarming
• Stage 3: cardiac arrest, rewarm and follow ACLS algorithm

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