What temperature range is recommended for Targeted Temperature Management to improve neurologic outcomes in comatose patients?

The recommended temperature range for Targeted Temperature Management (TTM) to improve neurologic outcomes in comatose patients is between 32 to 36 degrees Celsius. This range has been specifically studied and established based on evidence showing that moderate hypothermia can significantly reduce the neurological damage following cardiac arrest and other conditions that result in a loss of consciousness.

The rationale for using this particular temperature range is that it strikes a balance between providing the neuroprotective effects associated with hypothermia while minimizing the potential adverse effects of lower temperatures, such as coagulopathy, increased risk of infection, and other systemic complications that can arise from temperatures that are too low. Targeting a temperature in this range enhances patient recovery chances by decreasing metabolic demand and inflammatory responses in the brain.

While other ranges exist in clinical practice, they do not align with the current guidelines that emphasize the effectiveness of maintaining temperatures specifically within the 32 to 36 degrees Celsius bracket for optimal outcomes in this patient population.