What does WBTH mean in THERAPEUTICS

Whole Body Therapeutic Hypothermia (WBTH) is a method of cooling the entire body to preserve life after cardiac arrest or other critical events. It entails slowly reducing the body's temperature to 32-34°C, then maintaining it at that temperature for up to 24 hours while providing medical support.

WBTH has been found to be beneficial for patients who have experienced severe trauma or certain types of strokes that prevent the organs from receiving enough oxygen. It has also been used for some types of heart attacks and for newborns with certain types of brain injuries.

There are inherent risks with any medical procedure, including with WBTH. These risks could include infection and/or bleeding around the catheter insertion site or other areas where cooling devices are placed on the body. In addition, if temperatures become too low, it can cause complications like decreased blood pressure and increased risk of clotting.

The duration of WBTH treatment varies depending on the individual patient's clinical condition. Generally speaking, it consists of a cooling period that can last anywhere between 6-24 hours followed by re-warming over 8-10 hours.

After a patient recovers from WBTH, they are closely monitored in an intensive care unit (ICU). During this time doctors will evaluate the effectiveness of their treatment as well as make sure that their vital signs remain stable and their organs function properly. This could involve additional treatments like medications or therapies depending on the individual case.