Episode 25 – Interpreting the TTM2 Trial – 33C versus Controlled Normothermia

Penn Medicine's TTM Academy Podcasts

A new multicenter trial published in NEJM, commonly known as the “TTM2” trial, evaluated treating patients resuscitated from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest with targeted temperature management to 33C versus controlled normothermia, and found that outcomes were equivalent. Does this mean the end of TTM as we know it?

In this podcast, Dr. Benjamin Abella presents a comprehensive argument why he believes that such pronouncements are premature and not consistent with the larger body of laboratory and clinical science over the past 20 years. He discusses TTM2 in context of recent work from France (the Hyperion study), as well as work from the US and Japan, suggesting that patient selection is key. TTM may not be needed for patients with favorable characteristics (witnessed arrest, bystander CPR, no evidence of shock) but still may be required for patients with less favorable characteristics (non-shockable arrest rhythms, no bystander CPR, evidence of shock).

Also join us for a free live Zoom webinar on June 24 at 4 PM EDT US time to discuss the TTM2 trial. Registration at: https://pennmedicine.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_JrHlS0lFRreZ6Otzr4LcnA

Key references:

• Dankiewicz J, Cronberg T, Lilja G, et al. Hypothermia versus Normothermia after Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest. N Engl J Med. 2021 Jun 17;384(24):2283-2294. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34133859/
• Lascarrou JB, Merdji H, Le Gouge A, et al. Targeted Temperature Management for Cardiac Arrest with Nonshockable Rhythm. N Engl J Med. 2019 Dec 12;381(24):2327-2337. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31577396/
• Callaway CW, Coppler PJ, Faro J, et al. Association of Initial Illness Severity and Outcomes After Cardiac Arrest With Targeted Temperature Management at 36 °C or 33 °C. JAMA Netw Open. 2020 Jul 1;3(7):e208215. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32701158/
• Nishikimi M, Ogura T, Nishida K, et al. Outcome Related to Level of Targeted Temperature Management in Postcardiac Arrest Syndrome of Low, Moderate, and High Severities: A Nationwide Multicenter Prospective Registry. Crit Care Med. 2021 Apr 8. Online ahead of print. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33826582/