ArticlesHyperthermia and fever control in brain injuryBadjatia, Neeraj MD, MSc Author Information From the Neurological Institute of New York, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY. The author has not disclosed any potential conflicts of interest. For information regarding this article, E-mail: [email protected] Critical Care Medicine 37(7):p S250-S257, July 2009. | DOI: 10.1097/CCM.0b013e3181aa5e8d Buy Metrics Abstract Fever in the neurocritical care setting is common and has a negative impact on outcome of all disease types. Meta-analyses have demonstrated that fever at onset and in the acute setting after ischemic brain injury, intracerebral hemorrhage, and cardiac arrest has a negative impact on morbidity and mortality. Data support that the impact of fever is sustained for longer durations after subarachnoid hemorrhage and traumatic brain injury. Recent advances have made eliminating fever and maintaining normothermia feasible. However, there are no prospective randomized trials demonstrating the benefit of fever control in these patient populations, and important questions regarding indications and timing remain. The purpose of this review is to analyze the data surrounding the impact of fever across a range of neurologic injuries to better understand the optimal timing and duration of fever control. Prospective randomized trials are needed to determine whether the beneficial impact of secondary injury prevention is outweighed by the potential risks of prolonged fever control. © 2009 by the Society of Critical Care Medicine and Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
