Medtech Innovation Briefing outlines effectiveness of temperature management system

Published: 27-Jul-2017

Arctic Sun 5000 used for therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest

  • Arctic Sun 5000 for therapeutic hypothermia after cardiac arrest subject of Medtech Innovation Briefing
  • Device used for therapeutic body temperature management
  • Works by adjusting the water temperature in the gel pads every two minutes in response to the patient’s body temperature, which is constantly monitored using a probe
  • Would replace standard surface cooling systems to induce mild hypothermia in people who are comatose after having a cardiac arrest in or out of hospital
  • Briefing includes findings from four studies which showed Arctic Sun 5000 appears to achieve therapeutic cooling faster than standard cooling blankets

An innovative new device could be used to improve therapeutic body temperature management among people with induced mild hypothermia after cardiac arrest.

The Arctic Sun 5000 system is the subject of a new Medtech innovation Briefing from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

The briefings aim to support NHS and social care commissioners and staff who are considering using new medical devices and other medical or diagnostic technologies. The information provided includes a description of the technology, how it’s used, and its potential role in the treatment pathway.

They also include a review of relevant published evidence and the likely costs of using the technology, but they are not NICE guidance and do not make any recommendations on the value of using the technologies. Whether or not to use the products described is entirely the choice of local staff.

However, they will help to avoid the need for organisations to produce similar information, so saving staff time, effort and resources.

In the latest briefing, results of four trials of the Arctic Sun 5000 system are outlined in which the technology appears to achieve therapeutic cooling faster than standard cooling blankets and takes about the same time as endovascular cooling systems.

In one of two randomised studies, people in the Arctic Sun 5000 group had significantly fewer complications (bleeding and sepsis). But there was no significant difference in adverse effects in the randomised study comparing Arctic Sun with surface cooling.

No studies showed a statistically-significant difference in clinical outcomes between Arctic Sun 5000 and either surface or endovascular cooling methods.

Manufactured by Medivance/Bard; the Arctic Dun 5000 is a non-invasive system for controlling and monitoring body temperature within the range of 32°C-38.5°C.

It is intended for use in adults who are comatose after sudden cardiac arrest in or out of hospital, with the aim of inducing mild hypothermia to reduce brain injury and improve neurological outcomes.

It comprises two main components: A closed loop system, which consists of a control module with a touch screen, water reservoir and water heater; and four disposable, single-use, repositionable adhesive gel pads. Temperature-controlled water is circulated through channels in the gel pads.

It is designed to be used with an indwelling Yellow Springs Instrument 400 series temperature probe.

Click here to read the briefing in full.

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