A system for rapid induction of indication of hypothermia especially of the heart and brain during cardiac arrest and normal circulation. The device recirculates blood through an extracorporeal circuit using a single venous access. The blood can be cooled and/or treated before reentry to the vascular system. The device maximizes the cooling rate by optimizing the blood withdrawal rate. Cooling of the brain is achieved by flow of cooled blood from the thorax to the head. During cardiac arrest, the blood flow is generated by cardiopulmonary resuscitation.