Hypothermia following exertional heat stroke treatment

• Published in: European journal of applied physiology 2011-09, Vol.111 (9), p.2359-2362
• Main Authors: Makranz, Chen, Heled, Yuval, Moran, Daniel S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Body Temperature - physiology; Case studies; Case Study; Cold; Cold Temperature - adverse effects; Consciousness; Cooling; Cryotherapy; Drinking water; Exercise; Fever; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Heat; Heat Stroke - complications; Heat Stroke - therapy; Heatstroke; Human Physiology; Humans; Hyperthermia; Hypothermia; Hypothermia - etiology; Male; Metabolism; Occupational Medicine/Industrial Medicine; Physical Exertion - physiology; Physical fitness; Physiology; Rhabdomyolysis; Skin; Sports Medicine; Vertebrates: body movement. Posture. Locomotion. Flight. Swimming. Physical exercise. Rest. Sports; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1439-6319; 1439-6327
• DOI: 10.1007/s00421-011-1863-x

Exertional heat stroke (EHS) is a life-threatening condition, which deteriorates rapidly. Immediate cooling treatment can, therefore, be life saving. Over the past two winters, we witnessed three cases of hypothermia resulting from treatment of suspected EHS. Since no such cases were described in the literature before, we, therefore, in this study present one of those cases. In addition, recommended approaches for proper management of similar situations are discussed. We suggest that in order to avoid hypothermia following aggressive cooling, core temperature ( T core ) should be continuously monitored. Upon reaching 38°C, cooling must be discontinued, and the patient should be dried and covered.