Accidental deep hypothermia due to exposure

Summary Two cases of deep hypothermia due to exposure to cold are described. Although the underlying mechanism and degree of hypothermia were comparable, there was a striking dissimilarity between the observed disturbances of body homeostasis, response to rewarming technique, clinical course and outcome in the two cases. The first case was severely acidotic. She was rewarmed by immersion in warm water, but died from an acute cerebrovascular accident. The second case was moderately intoxicated by alcohol and revealed few disturbing features. She was treated by the use of thermal mattresses and survived without complications.