Heat Stroke

• Heat stroke is critical illness defined as a core body temperature greater than or equal to 40^oC and altered level of consciousness.
• Mortality from heat stroke can be as high as 30%.
• Numerous methods exist to rapidly cool patients below 39^oC.
• Of these methods, ice-water immersion cools patients the fastest and is highly effective in young patients with exertional heat stroke.
• There is currently insufficient evidence to routinely recommend antipyretic agents, intravascular cooling devices, body cavity lavage, or the use of ice packs in the groin/axilla/neck. In addition, dantrolene is not recommended in the treatment of heat stroke.

References

Gaudio FG, Grissom CK. Cooling methods in heat stroke. J Emerg Med 2016; 50:607-16