FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• What's the advantage of using ZOLL Intravascular Temperature Management (IVTM™) versus surface cooling or warming methods?
• Isn't the ZOLL IVTM™ method more invasive for the patient?
• How has ZOLL IVTM™ technology been used for warming patients?
• How will using the ZOLL IVTM™ System impact our nursing staff?

What's the advantage of using ZOLL Intravascular Temperature Management (IVTM™) versus surface cooling or warming methods?

"We participated in a randomized, controlled trial of 296 patients that showed a 64% reduction in fever using ZOLL (Alsius*) IVTM™ compared with best available surface methods.¹ Because we are able to directly affect the patient's core temperature using the ZOLL (Alsius*) IVTM™ method, via cooling and warming the venous system, we are able to more rapidly control the patient's core body temperature with greater efficiency and precision than surface methods."

Carmelo Graffagnino MD, FRCPC
Associate Professor of Medicine/Neurology
Director, Duke Neurosciences Critical Care Unit
Duke University Medical Center
Durham, NC

1. Treatment of fever in the neurologic intensive care unit with a catheter-based heat exchange system. Diringer MN. Critical Care Medicine 32: 559-564, 2004.

Isn't the ZOLL IVTM™ method more invasive for the patient?

"No. Most critically ill patients who are candidates for temperature management already require central venous access. The fact that the ZOLL (Alsius*) Catheter provides reliable temperature management and functions like a triple lumen central venous catheter allows cooling and necessary vascular access in one step."

Brent Myers, MD, MPH
Medical Director, Wake County EMS
Medical Director, Emergency Services Institute, WakeMed Health and Hospitals
Raleigh, NC

Paul Hinchey, MD, MBA
Medical Director, Mobile Critical Care, WakeMed Health and Hospitals
Assistant Medical Director, Wake County EMS
Raleigh, NC

How has ZOLL IVTM™ technology been used for warming patients?

"Heat loss in patients with large burn injuries is common and preventing it is especially challenging for the surgical and ICU team. ZOLL (Alsius*) intravascular warming is a state-of-the-art technology. We have found the technique to be efficient, safe and easy to use. It has enabled us to complete large excisions and grafting while being able to maintain a stable temperature and avoid intra-operative and post-operative hypothermia."

Carl Schulman, MD, MSPH, FACS
Assistant Professor of Surgery
University of Miami, Jackson Memorial Burn Center
Miami, FL

How will using the ZOLL IVTM™ System impact our nursing staff?

"Surface cooling is slow, uncomfortable, limits patient access, and is labor intensive for our nursing staff, often requiring intubation and paralysis to control shivering. The nurses report that using the ZOLL (Alsius*) IVTM™ System requires significantly less nursing time than external methods to reach and maintain target temperatures."

Rhonda Anderson, RN, MSN, CCRN, Clinical Project Manager
WellStar Health System, Marietta, GA

"I was completely sold on the idea of hypothermia induction. However, after just two patients and fighting with the external cooling blankets, we were all ready to stop the protocol." ^a "Since we have switched to the ZOLL (Alsius*) System we have been able to shift our focus from caring for the equipment to caring for the patient. It has made life so much easier." ^b

Kim Henson, RN^a
Adam Stocks, RN, BSN, CCRN , Clinical Unit Educator, CCU^bSpartanburg Regional Medical Center, Spartanburg, SC

*Alsius assets acquired by ZOLL, May 2009