Improved blood flow in the organs and the prevention of thrombus formation with cold

: It has been established that tissue cooling to 15-20 degrees C brings about a short-term spasm of smooth muscles of the intestine, peripheral vessels and of the visceral vessels, replaced by an appreciable spasmolytic effect at the 5th-8th minute of hypothermia. The maximal hyperemia develops by the 15th-20th minute of the cooling and persists over the whole period of the cooling. It is assumed that inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation in the mitochondria of the smooth muscles underlies the spasmolytic action of cold. In addition, cold produces a marked hypocoagulation effect.