Osborn waves: An inverse correlation with core body temperature

The giant waves of Osborn in brain death

“…In brain death, hypothermia is usually progressive and irreversible. Our reported cases of brain death-induced hypothermia 3,4 were not on any sedation and characteristically had Osborn waves without shivering artefacts in the surface electrocardiogram (ECG). Inability to mount a shivering response in hypothermia was associated with a worse outcome in previous studies.…”

The giant waves of Osborn in brain death

“…1 In brain death, the Osborn wave is explained by hypothermia resulting from hypothalamic dysfunction and is never associated with shivering artefacts in the ECG. 2 Other non-hypothermic causes of Osborn waves include severe hypercalcaemia, 3 subarachnoid haemorrhage, 4 myocardial ischaemia 5 Brugada syndrome 6 and following cardiac resuscitation. 7 The absence of regulations to withdraw care from brain-dead patients in some countries mandates continued ventilation until circulatory collapse ensues, hence increasing our exposure to Osborn waves.…”

“…The Osborn wave was described in 1953 by John Osborn 1 . In brain death, the Osborn wave is explained by hypothermia resulting from hypothalamic dysfunction and is never associated with shivering artefacts in the ECG 2 . Other non‐hypothermic causes of Osborn waves include severe hypercalcaemia, 3 subarachnoid haemorrhage, 4 myocardial ischaemia 5 Brugada syndrome 6 and following cardiac resuscitation 7 .…”

Clinical Q & A: Translating Therapeutic Temperature Management from Theory to Practice

“…There is no doubt about the relationship between temperature and the appearance of Osborn waves. It is known that the lower the temperature the greater the appearance and higher the amplitude of Osborn waves (Omar, 2011). Given the lack of data about the etiology and relationship to ventricular ectopy and the appearance of ventricular fibriallation at temperatures below 32°F, it is important to be vigilant about temperature goals.…”