Methods and apparatus for optimizing therapeutic temperature control

A system for performing therapeutic hypothermia, comprising:

• a controller;
• one or more sensors and devices for at least one of measuring or adjusting hemodynamic parameters;
• at least one of a group of an external pulse oximeter or an indwelling arterial catheter capable of continuous blood gas measurements;
• an endovascular catheter providing oximetric values, wherein said one or more sensors and devices, and said endovascular catheter, are operatively controlled by said controller;
• and
• said external pulse oximeter or said indwelling arterial catheter providing oxygen saturation data combinable with the oximetric values from the endovascular catheter to determine an oxygen extraction ratio (OER), the controller being operable to control the endovascular catheter to regulate temperature control based on the determined OER.