Heat stroke : a review of cooling methods.
The prognosis of heat stroke in patients is directly related to the degree of hyperthermia and its duration. Therefore, the most important feature in the treatment of heat stroke is rapid cooling. Several cooling methods have been presented in the literature including immersion in water at different temperatures, evaporative cooling, ice pack application, pharmacological treatment and invasive techniques. This article describes the various cooling techniques in terms of efficacy, availability, adverse effects and mortality rate. Data suggest that cooling should be initiated immediately at time of collapse and should be based on feasible field measures including ice or tepid water (1-16 degrees C), which are readily available. In the emergency department, management should be matched to the patient's age and medical background and include immersion in ice water (1-5 degrees C) or evaporative cooling.
Hadad
Eran
E
Sheba Medical Center, Heller Institute of Medical Research, Tel Hashomer, and Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Rav-Acha
Moshe
M
Heled
Yuval
Y
Epstein
Yoram
Y
Moran
Daniel S
DS
D000818:Animals; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation / Q000502:physiology; D017679:Cryotherapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D003620:Dantrolene / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005751:Gastric Lavage / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D018883:Heat Stroke / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D006875:Hydrotherapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010533:Peritoneal Lavage / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods
D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central; D003620:Dantrolene