RESUMO
Cardiac dysfunction (CD) combined with sepsis leads to increase in mortality in intensive care unit (ICU). Currently, the clinical treatment of CD with sepsis is the combination of delaying heart failure and anti-sepsis therapeutics. Mild therapeutic hypothermia (MTH) may decrease the body temperature to 32-35 ℃, improve symptom and decrease mortality in patients with CD and animal with sepsis. MTH has been used in animal models of heart failure and sepsis with pronounced outcomes and reduced mortality. However, it remains controversial if MTH can be used in treating patients with CD and sepsis due to its side effects, although the effectiveness of MTH on CD and sepsis has been testified. The present article reviews the application of MTH on animal researches, clinical use for treatment of patients with CD and sepsis, the effect and possible mechanisms of temperature on heart and sepsis, as well as the effect of MTH onto other organs and coagulation function.