Cool Technology: ‘Arctic Sun’ Helps Cardiac Arrest Patients Recover

Grand Rapids, Michigan: Stopped by police on 28th and Division, Norman Holmes began to sweat and shake profusely. As the officer approached Mr. Holmes, he collapsed. Days later, recovering from a cardiac arrest, he would learn that is recovery was due, in part, to something called the “Arctic Sun.”

Mr. Holmes, 61, is married and is the father of five children. His daughter, Norma DeLano, said of his collapse and subsequent care, “After CPR and a zapped heart, he was brought to Saint Mary’s close to death.” Gordon Turner, M.D., Medical Director Critical Care Services, at Saint Mary’s noted, “Mr. Holmes neurological responses were indicative of significant brain damage from the reduction of oxygen to his brain.” “He was close to being brain dead and under these circumstances very few patients recover complete consciousness and are able to return home.” In critical condition, Mr. Holmes was quickly transferred to the ICU where he was hooked up to a respirator and his body was cooled to 33 degrees Celsius by the Arctic Sun.

No bigger than your average carpet cleaner, and just about as easy to use, the Arctic Sun circulates chilled water into pads that are wrapped around 40% of the patient’s body. This cooling process takes 18-24 hours. Once the body is cooled to 33 degrees Celsius or 91degrees Fahrenheit the body is then warmed back up to 98 degrees. The warming process takes approximately 12 hours.

Since Rebecca LaMahieu, RN, BSN, Nurse Educator, started four years ago, she has been cooling patients with ice packs and cooling blankets. “Saint Mary’s is always investing in the latest technology. The Arctic Sun is wonderful for our patients because it eliminates the guesswork, is more efficient, and studies have shown that cardiac arrest patients that are cooled have better outcomes.”

Cardiac arrest is the single biggest killer in the United States. A slight improvement in the outcome of patients whose hearts stop could result in thousands of people returning to productive lives. “With the more rapid and controlled cooling we can achieve with the Arctic Sun, as many as 1 in 3 patients like Mr. Holmes will benefit by surviving their cardiac arrest and returning home with little or no disability” says Dr. Turner.

“We are confident Mr. Holmes will have a complete recovery.”