Confronting heatstroke: Understanding, preventing and treating a deadly condition

Review of heatstroke

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54205/ccc.v32.269722

Keywords:

Heatstroke, Heat-related illness, Hyperthermia, Exertional, Cooling therapy

Abstract

Heatstroke is a potentially fatal condition that occurs when the body’s thermoregulatory responses are overwhelmed by excessive heat. This review provides an overview of heatstroke, discussing risk factors, pathophysiology, and clinical presentation. Emphasis is placed on the importance of early recognition, prompt diagnosis, rapid cooling, and various cooling strategies, along with organ-supportive care, to improve patient outcomes. Additionally, the review underscores the need for increased awareness and public health initiatives to prevent and manage this life-threatening condition.

References

Bouchama A, Knochel JP. Heat stroke. N Engl J Med. 2002;346:1978-88.

Epstein Y, Yanovich R. Heatstroke. N Engl J Med. 2019;380:2449-59.

Garcia CK, Renteria LI, Leite-Santos G, Leon LR, Laitano O. Exertional heat stroke: pathophysiology and risk factors. BMJ Med. 2022;1:e000239.

Romanello M, McGushin A, Di Napoli C, Drummond P, Hughes N, Jamart L, et al. The 2021 report of the Lancet Countdown on health and climate change: code red for a healthy future. Lancet. 2021;398:1619-62.

Patel J, Boyer N, Mensah K, Haider S, Gibson O, Martin D, et al. Critical illness aspects of heatstroke: A hot topic. J Intensive Care Soc. 2023;24:206-14.

Bouchama A, Dehbi M, Mohamed G, Matthies F, Shoukri M, Menne B. Prognostic factors in heat wave related deaths: a meta-analysis. Arch Intern Med. 2007;167:2170-6.

Barletta JF, Palmieri TL, Toomey SA, Harrod CG, Murthy S, Bailey H. Management of heat-related illness and injury in the ICU: A concise definitive review. Crit Care Med. 2024;52:362-75.

Nelson N, Eichna LW, et al. Thermal exchanges of man at high temperatures. Am J Physiol. 1947;151:626-52.

Miyake Y. Pathophysiology of heat illness: Thermoregulation, risk factors, and indicators of aggravation. Japan Medical Association Journal. 2013;56:167-73.

Hifumi T, Kondo Y, Shimizu K, Miyake Y. Heat stroke. J Intensive Care. 2018;6:30.

Leon LR, Bouchama A. Heat Stroke. Comprehensive Physiology. p 611-47.

Bouchama A, Abuyassin B, Lehe C, Laitano O, Jay O, O'Connor FG, et al. Classic and exertional heatstroke. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2022;8:8.

Sorensen C, Hess J. Treatment and prevention of heat-related illness. N Engl J Med. 2022;387:1404-13.

Vicario SJ, Okabajue R, Haltom T. Rapid cooling in classic heatstroke: effect on mortality rates. Am J Emerg Med. 1986;4:394-8.

Filep EM, Murata Y, Endres BD, Kim G, Stearns RL, Casa DJ. Exertional Heat stroke, modality cooling rate, and survival outcomes: A systematic review. Medicina (Kaunas). 2020;56.

Casa DJ, McDermott BP, Lee EC, Yeargin SW, Armstrong LE, Maresh CM. Cold water immersion: The gold standard for exertional heatstroke treatment. Exerc Sport Sci Rev. 2007;35:141-9.

DeGroot DW, Henderson KN, O'Connor FG. Cooling Modality Effectiveness and mortality associate with prehospital care of exertional heat stroke casualities. J Emerg Med. 2023;64:175-80.

Luhring KE, Butts CL, Smith CR, Bonacci JA, Ylanan RC, Ganio MS, et al. Cooling effectiveness of a modified cold-water immersion method after exercise-induced hyperthermia. J Athl Train. 2016;51:946-51.

Bouchama A, Cafege A, Devol EB, Labdi O, el-Assil K, Seraj M. Ineffectiveness of dantrolene sodium in the treatment of heatstroke. Crit Care Med. 1991;19:176-80.

Channa AB, Seraj MA, Saddique AA, Kadiwal GH, Shaikh MH, Samarkandi AH. Is dantrolene effective in heat stroke patients? Crit Care Med. 1990;18:290-2.

Hostler D, Northington WE, Callaway CW. High-dose diazepam facilitates core cooling during cold saline infusion in healthy volunteers. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2009;34:582-6.

Shirreffs SM, Maughan RJ. Volume repletion after exercise-induced volume depletion in humans: Replacement of water and sodium losses. Am J Physiol. 1998;274:F868-75.

Downloads

Published

2024-11-01

How to Cite

1.
Somboonviboon D, Aramareerak P, Lertamornpong A, Piyavechviratana K. Confronting heatstroke: Understanding, preventing and treating a deadly condition : Review of heatstroke . Clin Crit Care [Internet]. 2024 Nov. 1 [cited 2024 Nov. 18];32(1):e240018. Available from: https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/ccc/article/view/269722

Issue

Section

Review Articles