A pilot study of mechanical stimulation and cardiac dysrhythmias in a porcine model of induced hypothermia.

Background: Hypothermia is a frequent complication of cold weather exposure and/or wilderness injuries. Anecdotal reports have postulated that patients suffering from acute hypothermia are at significantly increased risk of developing lethal cardiac dysrhythmias secondary to the physical stimulation from moving and transporting patients.

Objective: To develop a model to attempt to determine if rough handling and sudden movement can induce lethal cardiac dysrhythmias in a controlled animal study of mild to severe hypothermia.