Anyone know about ICU?

[Queenofthedrivensnow]

The partner if a close friend has a planned op today. They had a temp it transpired and hospital cannot get it down. They were in theatre hours and hours longer than planned. First they were going to HDu but now ICU. I know that's worse. They will be sedated until the temp comes down. What does that mean? At some point they are assessing damage to organs. I don't want to ask my friend anymore questions she's in bits. Anyone know?

It sounds like it could be malignant hyperthermia - it’s an severe reaction to anaesthetics and manifests as uncontrollable high temp as well as other symptoms. It needs to be treated aggressively and therefore ICU is absolutely the best place, he’ll be sedated and on a ventilator until things improve.
Sorry for your friend and hope there is good news soon.

Being in ICU means that they can have one to one observation at all times which is absolutely the best for them. Similarly sedation is so that they can recover in their own time and so that procedures are not as uncomfortable for them if they were done when awake.

Try not to worry about assessing damage to organs just yet, the sedation plus vent etc will be so that the organs have time to recover if necessary.

FWIW I spent three days in ICU on full life support when I contracted endocarditis 2.5 years ago. Was fully sedated, on dialysis, intravenous fluids, was in full organ failure and conversations were being had with my family around decisions needing to be made if I hadn’t turned a corner by the morning. I don’t remember a thing about it (best way IMO) and although there was significant damage to my heart as a result of the virus for which I will be having surgery next year, I have otherwise recovered.

Your friend is in the best place possible.

@Fleabag123 yep it's malignant hypothermia had an update now. How long does it take to recover from that?

I think he’ll be on ICU for several days. it really depends on how he responds to treatment, and also what surgery he is recovering from.

It’s quite an uncommon complication, I’m afraid I don’t have much first hand experience of managing it, but I think there are too many variables so it’s hard to advise based on limited information. I hope your friend can speak to the doctors tonight or tomorrow to get more of an idea