Target temperature management: a review and new prospect of cooling methods and devices

INTRODUCTION: Targeted temperature management (TTM) is a well-established neuroprotective intervention for patients following cardiac arrest (CA), ischemic stroke, traumatic brain injury, and related conditions. AREAS COVERED: With the continued development of cooling technology, there is an increasing variety of TTM devices and cooling methods. Related application scenarios have also expanded to pre-hospital and in-hospital Settings. This paper provides a systematic review of existing TTM devices and strategies, offering a comprehensive comparative analysis of various TTM methodologies employed in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on the basis of their underlying cooling mechanisms. EXPERT OPINION: The paper further explores current developmental trends and ongoing controversies surrounding the implementation of TTM. TTM devices are advancing toward selective, minimally invasive, and intelligent designs. With the increasing portability and miniaturization of these devices, TTM strategies are transitioning toward phased and integrated approaches.