[A severe form of heat stroke in a long-distance runner]

A case of a severe heat stroke is reported in a 30 yr old white man while running a long-distance race. At the time of admission, moderate hyperthermia (40 degrees C) and coma were two major symptoms found at physical examination. Within 24 h, the clinical picture evolved to multiple organ failure with marked rhabdomyolysis, acute renal failure with hyperkalaemia and lactic acidosis. At this time, were also found a consumptive coagulopathy and acute hepatic failure. After numerous complications, most of them infectious, the patient was discharged after four months in ICU and admitted in a physical rehabilitation department. Muscle biopsy performed three years after the heat stroke showed an abnormal reactivity to caffeine, but a normal reaction to halothane. The relationship between malignant hyperthermia and heat stroke remains uncertain.