Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 15, 2026

Esophageal Heat Transfer for Patient Temperature Control and Targeted Temperature Management
06:43

Esophageal Heat Transfer for Patient Temperature Control and Targeted Temperature Management

Published on: November 21, 2017

Cooling and hemodynamic management in heatstroke: practical recommendations

Abderrezak Bouchama1, Mohammed Dehbi, Enrique Chaves-Carballo

  • 1Department of Comparative Medicine MBC-03, King Faisal Specialist Hospital & Research Centre, P,O, Box 3354, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia. abouchama@kfshrc.edu.sa

Critical Care (London, England)
|May 15, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Optimal heatstroke treatment remains unclear. Iced water immersion is effective for exertional heatstroke in young individuals, but evidence for classic heatstroke cooling and hemodynamic management is limited.

Area of Science:

  • Emergency Medicine
  • Environmental Health
  • Critical Care Medicine

Background:

  • Rapid cooling and circulatory support are vital for heatstroke survival.
  • Optimal treatment strategies for heatstroke are not well-established.
  • Evidence for specific cooling methods and hemodynamic management is lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review clinical studies on heatstroke treatment.
  • To evaluate the effectiveness of different cooling methods.
  • To assess hemodynamic management strategies for heatstroke patients.

Main Methods:

  • Systematic review of Medline, CINAHL, and Cochrane databases (1966-2006).
  • Included studies on heatstroke, sunstroke, and heat stress disorders.
  • Analyzed data from 4 clinical trials and 15 observational studies (556 patients).

Main Results:

  • Iced water immersion (conduction cooling) showed effectiveness in exertional heatstroke.
  • No cooling method superiority was found for classic heatstroke.
  • Circulatory issues primarily involved distributive shock; myocardial failure was rare.

Conclusions:

  • Reliable clinical data on optimal heatstroke treatment is insufficient.
  • Findings provide a framework for preliminary cooling and hemodynamic management recommendations.
  • Further evidence-based research is needed for definitive heatstroke treatment guidelines.
Abstract

More Related Videos

Short-Duration Hypothermia Induction in Rats using Models for Studies examining Clinical Relevance and Mechanisms05:00

Short-Duration Hypothermia Induction in Rats using Models for Studies examining Clinical Relevance and Mechanisms

Published on: March 3, 2021

A Preclinical Model of Exertional Heat Stroke in Mice08:22

A Preclinical Model of Exertional Heat Stroke in Mice

Published on: July 1, 2021

Related Concept Videos

Methods of reducing fever01:22

Methods of reducing fever

The signs and symptoms of fever include hot and dry skin, flushed face, thirst, muscle aches, anorexia, headache, tachycardia, tachypnea, and fatigue. Elevated body temperature is reduced using two methods: pharmacological and nonpharmacological. Proper identification and treatment of the root cause of a fever is of utmost importance.
Pharmacological Methods of Reducing Fever:
Decreased Body Temperature01:29

Decreased Body Temperature

A decreased body temperature can occur in patients with hypothermia and frostbite. Heat loss with extended cold exposure overpowers the body's ability to create heat, resulting in hypothermia. Core temperature readings help classify hypothermia. Mild hypothermia is temperatures between 32 °C (89.6 °F) and 35°C (95 °F) and is caused by impaired thermoregulation. Moderate hypothermia is temperatures between 28 C (82.4 °F) and 32 °C (89.6 °F) caused by sustained extreme cold exposure, and severe...
Homeostatic Imbalances in Body Temperature01:19

Homeostatic Imbalances in Body Temperature

Hyperthermia occurs when the body's temperature becomes unusually high, often due to heat exposure, intense physical activity, or certain illnesses. This condition can create a dangerous cycle where elevated body temperature increases the metabolic rate, generating more heat and potentially leading to organ failure and brain damage. A severe form of hyperthermia, called heat stroke, can raise body temperature to life-threatening levels. Fever, on the other hand, is a controlled form of...
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation IV: Pharmacological Management01:25

Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation IV: Pharmacological Management

Pharmacologic intervention is crucial in treating cardiac arrest patients during ACLS or Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support. The ACLS algorithms guide the administration of specific drugs based on the patient's cardiac arrest rhythm, which includes pulseless ventricular tachycardia (VT), ventricular fibrillation (VF), asystole, and pulseless electrical activity (PEA).EpinephrineIndication: Epinephrine is the first-line drug for all cardiac arrest rhythms.Mechanism of Action: Epinephrine...
Increased Body Temperature01:25

Increased Body Temperature

A body temperature above  38°C  (100.4 °F) is known as fever or pyrexia, and a person with fever is termed 'febrile.' Typically, the hypothalamus, a part of the brain that acts as the body's thermostat, regulates body temperature through a thermoregulatory setpoint. It receives signals from cold and warm thermal receptors throughout the body and adjusts the body's temperature accordingly. Fever occurs when this hypothalamic setpoint is altered, usually in response to an infection or illness.
Heart Failure V: Medical Management01:30

Heart Failure V: Medical Management

Medical Management of Acute Decompensated Heart Failure (ADHF)The primary goals of therapy for patients hospitalized with acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) include:Relieving symptomsOptimizing volume statusSupporting oxygenation and ventilationMaintaining cardiac output (CO) and end-organ perfusionIdentifying and addressing the cause of ADHFPreventing complicationsProviding patient education on factors precipitating HF exacerbationPlanning for dischargeOngoing monitoring and assessment...