Effect of Hydrogel Pad and Conventional Method on the Induction Time of Therapeutic Hypothermia in Patients with Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest

o C. The esophageal temperature probe insertion to the target temperature time (ET to target BT time) was defined as the time from the esophageal probe insertion to the core temperature below 33.5 o C. We compared these times and cooling rates between the two groups. Results: Eighty one patients were enrolle d. Fifty seven patients were included in the hydrogel pad group and 24 patients were in the conventional group. There were no statistical differences of baseline characteristics between the two groups. The induction time of the conventional group (138 min., IQR 98-295) was shorter than that of the hydrogel pad group (190 min., IQR 140-250). The ET to target BT time of the conventional group (106 min., IQR 68-249) was shorter than that of the hydrogel pad group (163 min., IQR 108-222). The cooling rate of the conventional group (0.93 o C/hr., IQR 0.58-2.08) was lower than that of the hydrogel pad group (1.05 o C/hr., IQR 0.74-1.96). However, there were no statistical differences in the induction time, the ET to target BT time and the cooling rate between the two groups. Conclusions: There was no significant statistical difference of the cooling rate of the hydrogel pad and conven- tional method on the induction time of therapeutic hypothermia in Patients with OHCA. The conventional cooling method can be used as an effective and efficient way to lower O HCA patient's core body temperature during the induction phase of therapeutic hypothermia.