An Elder Case of Accidental Hypothermia

Abstract

A 87-year-old woman with accidental hypothermia was admitted to our hospital. On admission, she showed consciousness disturbance (JSC III-200) the decorticate rigidity and shock. Her body temperature was too low to been measured and her ECG revealed a J wave. She received the external rewarming and warm fluid replacement. Her consciousness level recovered to JSC II-20 after 2.5 hours of treatment, to JCSI-1 after 7.5 hours. Her body temperature reached 34.5°C 9.5 hours later, and the J wave on ECG disappeared. She was discharged without complications on the 6th hospital day. it was suggested that early diagnosis and the proper therapy improves the mortality of accidental hypothermia.