[Heat stroke and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Apropos of 2 cases]

Two cases of fatal heat stroke, concerning a 20 year-old soldier and a 44 year-old psychiatric patient, treated with neuroleptics, are reported. The clinical picture, starting suddenly with coma and hyperthermia, was quite identical for both. Secondarily, while hyperthermia decreases and the conscience improved partially, an hemorrhagic syndrome similar to a consumption coagulopathy, acute renal insufficiency and acute hepatic failure appear. Death occurred after aggravated neurological disorders and respiratory distress. The anatomical lesions spread on all the viscera include tubular nephritis, and hepatic centro-lobular necrosis and an interstitial and alveolar oedema with hemorrhages and hyaline membranes in the lungs.