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    3 Committee considerations

    The evidence

    3.1 NICE did a rapid review of the published literature on the efficacy and safety of this procedure. This comprised a comprehensive literature search and detailed review of the evidence from 6 sources, which was discussed by the committee. The evidence included 6 systematic reviews and meta-analyses. It is presented in the summary of key evidence section in the interventional procedures overview. Other relevant literature is in the appendix of the overview.

    3.2 The professional experts and the committee considered the key efficacy outcomes to be: survival, reduced long-term neurological disability, independent living, quality of life, and reductions in length of critical care and hospital stay.

    3.3 The professional experts and the committee considered the key safety outcomes to be: arrythmias, shivering, pneumonia, sepsis and skin damage.

    3.4 Patient commentary was sought but none was received.

    Committee comments

    3.5 Several technologies are used for temperature control after cardiac arrest.

    3.6 Using large volumes of intravenous saline to induce therapeutic hypothermia can cause serious side effects.

    Tom Clutton-Brock
    Chair, interventional procedures advisory committee
    April 2023

    ISBN: