The potential benefits of therapeutic hypothermia (TH) have been recognized for decades; however, despite a strong scientific rationale and promising pre-clinical trials, TH has translated poorly into improved clinical outcomes.

In this article, we will explore the basis for TH, including the scientific principles, complications, practical aspects and the evidence for its use in various clinical conditions. Target temperature management (TTM) has superseded TH, in terms of nomenclature. TTM is difficult to define, but it is an active treatment aimed at maintaining a patient's core body temperature at a pre-determined value, to reduce morbidity and improve neurological outcomes. The target can be either hypothermia (<36°C) or normothermia (37°C ± 0.5°C).