Heat stroke New Orleans style

An in-depth discussion of Classic Heat Stroke (CHS) and Exertional Heat Stroke (EHS) Syndromes occurred during morning report at a large metropolitan teaching institution during a New Orleans heat wave. The opportunity arose to compare the syndromes via case reports of two patients admitted the same day to the same housestaff teams. The physiology of the hyperthermic state, maladaptions predisposing the hyperthermic syndrome and current heat stroke management updates are reviewed in detail. This report should compel the reader to remain attentive to the subtleties and differences presented in life-threatening high-heat and humidity-related illnesses and how to act rapidly and prudently in management of the illnesses.