Ineffectiveness of dantrolene sodium in the treatment of heatstroke.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy of dantrolene sodium in the treatment of heatstroke.


METHODS
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.


METHODS
Heatstroke center in Makkah, Saudi Arabia.


METHODS
Fifty-two adult patients with heatstroke.


METHODS
Patients were assigned to receive either dantrolene sodium (2 mg/kg body weight iv) or placebo. Conventional cooling therapy was initiated in all.


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in the mean cooling times for the treatment and control groups (67.9 vs. 69 min). There was only one death in the control group. Complications were seen in six (23%) patients receiving dantrolene sodium and seven (27%) patients receiving placebo; the difference was not statistically significant. There was no significant difference in the mean number of hospital days (4.7 +/- 2.0 vs. 2.9 +/- 0.9 days).


CONCLUSIONS
Treatment with dantrolene sodium at the dose used, did not prove beneficial to patients with heatstroke.
Bouchama
A
A
Department of Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Cafege
A
A
Devol
E B
EB
Labdi
O
O
el-Assil
K
K
Seraj
M
M
D003620:Dantrolene / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006359:Heat Exhaustion / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D003620:Dantrolene