Neuroanesthesia & neurocritical care
Effect of Paracetamol on Cerebral Temperature in Febrile Brain-Injured Patients. The NEUROTHERM Study: A Randomized Controlled Pharmacodynamic Trial
Authors' conclusion
Paracetamol significantly reduced CT in febrile brain-injured patients (overall mean reduction of 0.6°C), maintaining temperatures less than 38.5°C for a median of 3.6 hours. The gradient between CT and ST was consistently about 0.3°C in both groups.
Study context
- Population
- Febrile brain-injured patients (cerebral temperature (CT) ≥ 38.5°C for > 30 min) monitored with an intracerebral pressure sensor including a thermal probe, neuro-ICU
- Participants
- 99 patients
- Comparison
- Single IV paracetamol vs placebo
- Paracetamoln = 49
- Placebon = 50reference
- Primary endpoint
- Difference in mean cerebral temperature (CT)
- Follow-up
- 6 hours after treatment
Methodological detailspharmacodynamic, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled
- Pharmacodynamic
- Prospective
- Double-blind
- Placebo-controlled
Primary result
As reported in the abstract
Mean CT during 6-hour follow-up · 6 hours
P < 0.001
Further findings
Time with CT < 38.5°C · 6 hours
P < 0.001
- Non-response to paracetamol (Paracetamol group)
- 30%
Mean CT vs mean systemic temperature (ST), both groups
- Mean CT always higher than mean ST: 38.7 ± 0.6 vs 38.4 ± 0.6°C (p < 0.001)
- 38.7 ± 0.6 vs. 38.4 ± 0.6°C
Non-response to paracetamol (Paracetamol group)
- In responders, paracetamol lowered mean CT by 1°C
Safety
Haemodynamics
- Moderate decrease in systolic arterial pressure and heart rate with paracetamol, without any other significant effect
Original publication
Effect of Paracetamol on Cerebral Temperature in Febrile Brain-Injured Patients. The NEUROTHERM Study: A Randomized Controlled Pharmacodynamic Trial. Crit Care Med. Published 11 November 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →