A case of heatstroke complicated by persistent ventricular tachycardia

Patients suffering from heatstroke often present with electrocardiograph abnormalities, but persistent ventricular tachycardia has not been reported previously.

This report is intended to demonstrate that rapid and effective cooling is critical to survival in patients experiencing heatstroke with ventricular tachycardia.

We cared for a healthy 38-year-old man with environmentally induced heatstroke, who presented with ventricular tachycardia resistant to cardioversion until his core body temperature was reduced significantly.

This case represents the first report of ventricular tachycardia occurring in a patient with heatstroke. Successful cardioversion could not be achieved until his core body temperature was lowered significantly, reinforcing the need for rapid temperature reduction that can be accomplished through noninvasive means.