"Cool It" — Preventing Long-Term Brain Damage
Chris Reak's amazing story about how ice saved her life is featured in the October 6, 2009 edition of the Wall Street Journal. Read the full story >>
One summer day in 2008, Montgomery resident Chris Reak (right) suffered sudden cardiac arrest at her home. She was unconscious for 10 minutes before Montgomery paramedics arrived,
gave her CPR, and brought her to Queen of Peace Hospital.
Dr. Eric Gage, medical director of the Queen of Peace Emergency Room, knew right away that therapeutic hypothermia – known as the "Cool It" procedure – should be used. "The paramedics shocked her and got her heart beating again, but she had been unconscious for a long time," said Dr. Gage. "We knew we had to get her cooled quickly to preserve what brain function we could."
During cardiac arrest, the heart can no longer beat and is unable to pump blood throughout the body, depriving the body of oxygen. With the "Cool It" protocol, ER staff induce hypothermia in patients by literally packing them in ice. This, in turn, slows a body's metabolism and preserves brain function by reducing the brain's need for oxygen.
More About the "Cool It" Procedure
- Chris Reak thanks the paramedics and physicians who saved her life at a Minneapolis health care conference. Video courtesy KARE 11.
- Chris Reak's full story. Learn how coordinated care for cardiac arrest cases results in optimistic outcomes.
- The Minneapolis Heart Institute pioneered in "Cool It" procedure in 2006, coordinating with facilities like Queen of Peace Hospital.