Moderate hypothermia for 359 operations to clip cerebral aneurysms.

Background: Experimental data have suggested that hypothermia (32-34 degrees C) may improve outcome after cerebral ischaemia, but its efficacy has not yet been established conclusively in humans. In this study we examined the feasibility and safety of deliberate moderate perioperative hypothermia during operations for subarachnoid aneurysms.

Methods: A total of 359 operations for intracranial cerebral aneurysms were included in this prospective study.