Heatstroke
- 19 June 2019
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Massachusetts Medical Society in The New England Journal of Medicine
- Vol. 380 (25), 2449-2459
- https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra1810762
Abstract
Heatstroke is a syndrome consisting of life-threatening central nervous system and multiple organ dysfunction from complications of hyperthermia. Additionally, there is an associated complex immunological and inflammatory component to the illness that resembles sepsis. Core body temperature exceeds 40 degrees C with associated mental status changes such as delirium and coma. Generalized tonic/clonic seizures can occur. A variable degree of organ involvement is present that contributes to the severity of the medical picture. Heatstroke can be viewed as a tropical neurological disorder especially for unacclimated travelers going to warm climates. Heatstroke can be categorized into two types depending on the cause. Classic heatstroke is nonexertional, environmentally related and exertional heatstroke occurs in the setting of strenuous exercise. Heatstroke is actually the most severe of a continuum of heat-related illnesses that carries a high incidence of mortality. Treatment is directed at rapidly reducing core body temperature and the management of life-threatening systemic complications.Keywords
This publication has 69 references indexed in Scilit:
- A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Phase 2b Study to Evaluate the Safety and Efficacy of Recombinant Human Soluble Thrombomodulin, ART-123, in Patients With Sepsis and Suspected Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation*Critical Care Medicine, 2013
- Pancreatic Digestive Enzyme Blockade in the Intestine Increases Survival After Experimental ShockScience Translational Medicine, 2013
- Exertional heatstroke: clinical characteristics, diagnostic and therapeutic considerationsEuropean Journal of Internal Medicine, 2011
- Hsp-72, a candidate prognostic indicator of heatstrokeCell Stress and Chaperones, 2010
- Calsequestrin‐1: a new candidate gene for malignant hyperthermia and exertional/environmental heat strokeThe Journal of Physiology, 2009
- Acute Whole-Body Cooling for Exercise-Induced Hyperthermia: A Systematic ReviewJournal of Athletic Training, 2009
- Leukocyte activation: The link between inflammation and coagulation during heatstroke. A study of patients during the 2003 heat wave in Paris*Critical Care Medicine, 2008
- Cooling and hemodynamic management in heatstroke: practical recommendationsCritical Care, 2007
- Pathophysiological factors underlying heatstrokeMedical Hypotheses, 2006
- Pathological factors underlying hyperthermiaJournal of Thermal Biology, 2004