Guidance
Evidence-based recommendations on temperature control to improve neurological outcomes after cardiac arrest. This involves controlling a person’s body temperature while they are still unconscious after their heart has been restarted. Either their body is kept at a normal temperature of between 36.5°C and 37.5°C to prevent fever, or it is cooled to between 32.0°C and 36.0°C (therapeutic hypothermia).
Is this guidance up to date?
Next review: Because this guidance contains a recommendation for research only it will be reviewed in 2027.
Guidance development process
How we develop NICE interventional procedures guidance
Coding and clinical classification codes for this guidance.
This guidance replaces NICE interventional procedures guidance on therapeutic hypothermia following cardiac arrest (IPG386).
Your responsibility
This guidance represents the view of NICE, arrived at after careful consideration of the evidence available. When exercising their judgement, healthcare professionals are expected to take this guidance fully into account, and specifically any special arrangements relating to the introduction of new interventional procedures. The guidance does not override the individual responsibility of healthcare professionals to make decisions appropriate to the circumstances of the individual patient, in consultation with the patient and/or guardian or carer.
All problems (adverse events) related to a medicine or medical device used for treatment or in a procedure should be reported to the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency using the Yellow Card Scheme.
Commissioners and/or providers have a responsibility to implement the guidance, in their local context, in light of their duties to have due regard to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations. Nothing in this guidance should be interpreted in a way that would be inconsistent with compliance with those duties. Providers should ensure that governance structures are in place to review, authorise and monitor the introduction of new devices and procedures.
Commissioners and providers have a responsibility to promote an environmentally sustainable health and care system and should assess and reduce the environmental impact of implementing NICE recommendations wherever possible.