This procedure is initiated after the heart has been restarted[1]. You're absolutely correct that it's pointless to do it earlier, especially since the far more

This procedure is initiated after the heart has been restarted[1]. You're absolutely correct that it's pointless to do it earlier, especially since the far more important thing is getting the heart beating again. [1] This is known as "targeted temperature management" (TTM), and is part of the standard post-ROSC (return of spontaneous circulation) algorithm in ACLS (Advanced Cardiac Life Support), if you're looking for terms to Google.