Duration of Device-Based Fever Prevention after Cardiac Arrest

   This randomized controlled trial investigated whether 36 or 72 hours of device-based fever prevention improves outcomes in comatose adults resuscitated after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. All 789 patients underwent temperature control at 36°C for 24 hours, followed by random assignment to fever prevention at 37°C for either 12 or 48 additional hours. The primary composite outcome death or hospital discharge with severe disability (CPC 3–4) at 90 days was similar in both groups (32.3% vs. 33.6%; HR 0.99, P=0.70). Mortality, cognitive scores (MoCA), and adverse events showed no significant difference between durations. Findings suggest that extending fever prevention to 72 hours confers no added benefit over 36 hours.

   This randomized controlled trial investigated whether 36 or 72 hours of device-based fever prevention improves outcomes in comatose adults resuscitated after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. All 789 patients underwent temperature control at 36°C for 24 hours, followed by random assignment to fever prevention at 37°C for either 12 or 48 additional hours. The primary composite outcome death or hospital discharge with severe disability (CPC 3–4) at 90 days was similar in both groups (32.3% vs. 33.6%; HR 0.99, P=0.70). Mortality, cognitive scores (MoCA), and adverse events showed no significant difference between durations. Findings suggest that extending fever prevention to 72 hours confers no added benefit over 36 hours.