A heart rate of 40 to 45 beats/minute is considered ideal for a
patient undergoing therapeutic hypothermia. Additional hypothermiarelated ECG changes include a
widened QRS complex, prolonged
PR interval, and the development of
Osborn waves (prominent J waves;see Making waves). These changes are
often benign and don’t require treatment. If necessary, the heart rate can be increased by rewarming the patient, transvenous or transcutaneous cardiac pacing, or by administering
I.V. infusions such as dopamine or epinephrine