Nerve Conduction Velocity During Hypothermia in Man

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Abstract
Alterations in peripheral nerve impulse conduction during cooling were investigated in 7 surgical patients. A significant association between maximum conduction velocity and mean nerve temperature was found for peroneal nerve. Conduction velocity fell from 49.6 m/sec. at 35.5[degree] C to 1/2 (25.9 m/sec.) at 2 23.5[degree] C and to 1/4 (12.1 m/sec.) at 21.5[degree] C. Conduction velocity decreased linearly at a rate of 1.84 m/sec./[degree] C between 36[degree] and 23[degree] C (P > 0.001). Below 23[degree] C nerve threshold rose rapidly and conduction velocity fell sharply. Results obtained in this investigation are in good agreement with findings obtained from other species over a comparable temperature range.