How quickly should rewarming be administered for deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA)?

In cases of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA), it's essential to rewarm the patient gradually and safely to avoid complications associated with rapid temperature changes. The recommended rate of rewarming is approximately 1 degree Celsius every 3-5 minutes.

This rate allows for a controlled rewarming process, which helps to prevent complications such as rewarming shock or cardiovascular instability that can occur when the body temperature increases too quickly. Rewarming at this rate also stabilizes the patient’s physiological processes while ensuring that the metabolic functions gradually regain normalcy without overwhelming the body.

In the context of the other rates provided, a quicker rewarming method could lead to adverse effects, while a slower rate may not sufficiently support the physiological needs of the patient as they recover. Thus, aiming for a rewarming rate of 1 degree every 3-5 minutes strikes an optimal balance for patient safety and effective recovery.