Author: Michael Hunt, M.D. Educational Pearls: Research has shown that the higher temperatures post-cardiac arrests may lead to poorer outcomes. Initially, 33 deg C was the target temp. However, more research is being done to find therapeutic temperature levels. New studies have shown that the cooling protocol differs for inpatient cardiac arrests vs. outpatient cardiac arrests.   The results show that it may not be necessary to cool inpatient cardiac arrests. References: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/healthlibrary/test_procedures/cardiovascular/therapeutic_hypothermia_after_cardiac_arrest_135,393/