Abstract: A method for treating cardiac arrest includes defibrillating the patient and/or ventilating the patient and/or administering a cardiac arrest drug such as epinephrine to resuscitate the patient, and then cooling the patient using one or more cooling catheter positioned in the central venous system of the patient.

Abstract: A system for exchanging heat with the body of a patient for cooling or warming the patient provides for automatic temperature control in accordance with the monitored temperature of the patient. The system comprises at least one fluid circuit in communication with an indwelling catheter, and a temperature control module, wherein body temperature measurements are used to control the temperature of fluid circulating within the fluid circuit.

Abstract: A catheter is adapted to exchange heat with a body fluid, such as blood, flowing in a body conduit, such as a blood vessel. The catheter includes a shaft with a heat exchange region disposed at its distal end. This region may include at least one balloon which is adapted to receive a remotely cooled heat exchange fluid preferably flowing in a direction counter to that of the body fluid. Embodiments including multiple balloons enhance the surface area of contact, and the mixing of both the heat exchange and the body fluid. The catheter can be positioned to produce hypothermia in a selective area of the body without cooling the entire body system. It is of particular advantage in brain surgeries where stroke, trauma or cryogenic tumors can best be addressed under hypothermic conditions.

Abstract: A heat exchanger to remove heat from coolant in a closed circuit cooling catheter includes two heat exchange stages. Each stage includes a heat exchange element, such as a group of hollow fibers, and a TEC array juxtaposed with the heat exchange element to remove heat from the element. The elements are in fluid series with each other and are separated from each other by a thermal barrier. A thermal interface can be provided between each element and its TEC array. In one embodiment, the thermal interface is a gel layer. In another embodiment, the thermal interface is an ethylene glycol bath.