Theraputic peritoneal lavage

• Active internal re-warming for hypothermic patients
• Consider in
  • Severe Hypothermia
  • Cardiovascular instability / life-threatening dysrhythmias
  • Moderate hypothermia which fails to respond to less aggressive measures

Technique

• Catheter placement is similar to that used for diagnostic peritoneal lavage.
• May consider two catheters, one for installation and one for drainage
• Infuse 10 to 20 mL/kg of isotonic saline warmed to approximately 42°C
• Leave fluid in the peritoneal cavity for 20 minutes, then remove
• Overall exchange rate is 6 L/hour

Links

• Hypothermia
• Thoracic lavage
• Diagnostic peritoneal lavage