DEEP HYPOTHERMIA AND TOTAL CIRCULATORY ARREST FOR CARDIAC SURGERY

Fascination with the effects of temperature reduction on living organisms has probably existed throughout history. Spontaneous hibernation, loosely described as “intrinsic” reduction in metabolism and body temperature, eludes explanation, yet remains a challenging area of interest. Induced hibernation or “extrinsic” reduction in metabolism and body temperature has been studied and refined extensively during the past 3 1/2 decades. It has become an awesome clinical tool.