Diagnosis and Treatment of Frostbite

Frostbite, a tissue injury caused by extreme cold exposure, has historically affected military personnel and adventurers but is increasingly prevalent in urban settings due to social disadvantage and substance use. This review discusses the pathophysiology, classification, and management of frostbite, emphasizing the role of thrombolytic therapy in reducing tissue loss. Key treatment strategies include rapid rewarming, pain control, and wound care, with thrombolysis (e.g., tissue plasminogen activator) considered for severe cases with compromised perfusion. Adjunctive treatments like iloprost and anticoagulants are also explored. The article highlights the challenges in decision-making due to limited high-quality data and underscores the importance of individualized risk-benefit assessments for thrombolytic intervention.

Frostbite, a tissue injury caused by extreme cold exposure, has historically affected military personnel and adventurers but is increasingly prevalent in urban settings due to social disadvantage and substance use. This review discusses the pathophysiology, classification, and management of frostbite, emphasizing the role of thrombolytic therapy in reducing tissue loss. Key treatment strategies include rapid rewarming, pain control, and wound care, with thrombolysis (e.g., tissue plasminogen activator) considered for severe cases with compromised perfusion. Adjunctive treatments like iloprost and anticoagulants are also explored. The article highlights the challenges in decision-making due to limited high-quality data and underscores the importance of individualized risk-benefit assessments for thrombolytic intervention.