Postoperative shivering: the influence of body temperature
BMJ 1995; 311 doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.311.7008.764 (Published 23 September 1995) Cite this as: BMJ 1995;311:764
- Angus W A Crossley
- Senior lecturer in anaesthesia University Department of Anaesthesia, Queen's Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2UH
May be related more to peripheral than core temperature and can be reduced by space blankets
Postoperative shivering is common.1 During recovery from anaesthesia increased muscular activity increases oxygen consumption as much as fivefold. Hypoxaemia, lactic acidosis, and hypercarbia may then complicate recovery from anaesthesia,2 at a time when the patient is at risk of hypoxaemia from other causes. Even without these complications patients find shivering uncomfortable, and preventing the syndrome is clearly desirable.
Why do patients shiver postoperatively? It is tempting to assume that heat loss is contributory, exacerbated by peripheral vasodilatation that in turn is induced by …
Log in
Log in using your username and password
Log in through your institution
Subscribe from £173 *
Subscribe and get access to all BMJ articles, and much more.
* For online subscription
Access this article for 1 day for:
£38 / $45 / €42 (excludes VAT)
You can download a PDF version for your personal record.