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Heat Stroke
- Heat stroke is critical illness defined as a core body temperature greater than or equal to 40oC and altered level of consciousness.
- Mortality from heat stroke can be as high as 30%.
- Numerous methods exist to rapidly cool patients below 39oC.
- 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