Surviving a classic heat stroke/hyperthermia > 42 °C - a case report

Area of Science:

• Emergency Medicine
• Critical Care
• Environmental Health

Background:

• Classic heat stroke is a life-threatening medical emergency characterized by severe hyperthermia and central nervous system dysfunction.
• It frequently leads to multi-organ failure and carries a high mortality rate, necessitating prompt and intensive medical intervention.
• The severity of heat stroke is often correlated with the peak core body temperature reached and the duration of hyperthermia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a rare case of a patient who survived severe classic heat stroke with extreme hyperthermia and significant organ dysfunction.
• To highlight the critical role of intensive supportive therapy in achieving a complete recovery from a potentially fatal condition.
• To underscore that even in cases with severe sequelae, full recovery is possible with comprehensive medical management.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 73-year-old male presenting with classic heat stroke.
• Initial core body temperature recorded above 42°C, with a Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 3.
• Patient required transfer to a specialized burn center due to associated severe burn injuries, followed by intensive care unit (ICU) management for multi-organ failure.

Main Results:

• The patient experienced multiple organ failures and a prolonged ICU stay.
• Despite the severity of his condition, including extreme hyperthermia and neurological impairment, the patient showed no persistent sequelae.
• Complete recovery was achieved through meticulous and intensive supportive medical care.

Conclusions:

• This case demonstrates a rare instance of full recovery from severe classic heat stroke with a core body temperature exceeding 42°C.
• It emphasizes the importance of aggressive and comprehensive supportive treatment in managing critical heat stroke patients.
• The case suggests that even with profound organ dysfunction and initial critical presentation, favorable outcomes are achievable.