Background The high incidence of heart attacks and low survival rate is a serious threat to human health. Therapeutic hypothermia is expected to improve neurological recovery of patients after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in some studies. However, the application of therapeutic hypothermia still remains controversial in clinical treatment. Objective This review summarizes the advance in practical aspects of therapeutic hypothermia on CPR after adult cardiac arrest. Content The guideline recommended that comatose adult patients with return of spontaneous circulation after out-of-hospital VF cardiac arrest should be cooled to 32 ℃ to 34 ℃ for 12 h to 24 h. Induced hypothermia also may be considered for comatose adult patients with spontaneous circulation after in-hospital cardiac arrest of any initial rhythm or after out-of-hospitalcardiac arrest with an initial rhythm of pulseless electricactivity or asystole. Providers should closely monitor patient core temperature after spontaneous circulation and actively intervene to avoid hyperthermia and other complications. Trend Therapeutic hypothermia is an important measure for cerebral protection in patients after CPR, however the timing of its application, method, duration and prevention and treatment of side effects still need a lot of evidence-based studys.