Left ventricular systolic dysfunction in a patient with accidental hypothermia: A case report

Abstract

Introduction. Hypothermia is a relatively rare condition, and the effects of unintentional hypothermia on the heart are not known. Case presentation. This report describes the case of an 88-year-old Japanese man found in a coma and presenting with heart failure associated with hypothermia. He experienced sinus arrest, junctional rhythm and left ventricular systolic dysfunction with prolonged ejection time. With rewarming and treatment of his heart failure, he completely recovered over a period of two weeks. Conclusion: Prolonged ejection time might be a characteristic finding in hypothermia. © 2012 Mine et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.