Pilot Trial of External Warming in Septic Patients

Inclusion Criteria:

- Admitted to a surgical or medical intensive care unit

- Age greater than 18 years

- Diagnosis of sepsis within 24 hours of enrollment

- Requirement for mechanical ventilation with expected duration of mechanical
ventilation > 48 hours

- Goal Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale (RASS) < 0

- Maximum baseline temperature (within previous 24 hours) < 38.3°C

Exclusion Criteria:

- Treatment with chemotherapy within 6 months of enrollment

- Treatment with corticosteroids at a dose > 300 mg/day hydrocortisone (or equivalent)

- History of solid organ transplant on any immunosuppression medication

- History of immunological disease

- History of chronic infection with hepatitis B or C virus

- History of acute stroke, acute coronary syndrome, or severe head injury requiring
osmotic therapy within 7 days prior to enrollment

- History of multiple sclerosis

- Contraindications to both bladder or esophageal core temperature monitors or to forced
air warming blankets

- Moribund status

- Sepsis without source control