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Open Access Case report

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

Takanao Mine1*, Ikuo Sato2, Hideyuki Kishima1 and Hiroji Miyake3

Author Affiliations

1 Department of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Division, Hyogo College of Medicine, 1-1 Mukogawa-cho, Nishinomiya, Japan

2 Department of Clinical Laboratory, Nishinomiya Kyoritsu Neurosurgical Hospital, 11-1 Imazu-yamanaka-cyo, Nishinomiya, Japan

3 Department of Neurosurgery, Nishinomiya Kyoritsu Neurosurgical Hospital, 11-1 Imazu-yamanaka-cyo, Nishinomiya, Japan

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Journal of Medical Case Reports 2012, 6:429 doi:10.1186/1752-1947-6-429

Published: 28 December 2012

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.