TY  - JOUR
T1  - REfrigeration in embolism
AU  - Crossman L
Y1  - 1949/12/10
N1  - 10.1001/jama.1949.02910150041019
JO  - Journal of the American Medical Association
SP  - 1075
EP  - 1075
VL  - 141
IS  - 15
N2  - To the Editor:— 
    In The Journal of Oct. 8, 1949, two articles on embolism involving the lower extremities followed the usual custom of ignoring refrigeration. Cold simultaneously inhibits pain, shock, thrombosis and tissue devitalization. Even when the arterial occlusion is in the pelvis or abdomen, packing of the legs in ice should follow diagnosis as an immediate routine in the hospital or, if necessary, at home. This method may keep the tissues viable for days or weeks, thus permitting delayed operation in cardiac or other critical conditions. After operation, moderate cooling serves as an adjuvant to anticoagulants in preventing thrombosis of small vessels. These and other considerations warrant repetition of the previous advice, "Refrigeration can extend the time limits and improve the results of embolectomy" (Am. J. Surg.68: 170, 1945; J. Internat. Coll. Surgeons8:438, 1945; J. A. M. A. 130: 185 [Jan. 261 1946).
SN  - 0002-9955
M3  - doi: 10.1001/jama.1949.02910150041019
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.1949.02910150041019
ER  -