Key result
A systematic review of 91 accidental hypothermia cases found only one report with accurate ECG measurements before cardiac arrest, preventing reliable evaluation of the QRS/QTc ratio's prognostic value.
Why the study?
Can hypothermia-induced changes in QRS and QTc intervals predict cardiac arrest in severe accidental hypothermia?
Systematic Review (n=91)
Can hypothermia-induced changes in QRS and QTc intervals predict cardiac arrest in severe accidental hypothermia?
Routine measurement and reporting of QRS/QTc intervals in severe accidental hypothermia may help predict arrhythmia risk and improve management.
Hypothermic cardiac arrest (HCA) is often caused by ventricular tachyarrhythmias in severe hypothermia. The QRS/QTc ratio may predict arrhythmia risk, but data are insufficient. Routine QRS/QTc measurements during transport and in-hospital care, along with consistent reporting, could improve understanding, management, and survival outcomes in severe accidental hypothermia cases.
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Selli et al. (2026) conducted a systematic review in Accidental hypothermia (n=91). QRS/QTc ratio was evaluated on Hypothermic cardiac arrest (HCA). A systematic review of 91 accidental hypothermia cases found only one report with accurate ECG measurements before cardiac arrest, preventing reliable evaluation of the QRS/QTc ratio's prognostic value.
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