Fast Five Quiz: Are You Familiar With Key Elements Regarding Heat Stroke?

Richard H. Sinert, DO

August 02, 2017

Controversy still exists over what therapeutic modality is most effective in the treatment of heat stroke. However, the basic premise of rapidly lowering the core temperature to about 102°F, to avoid overshooting and rebound hyperthermia, remains the primary goal.

Patients diagnosed with EHS or NEHS should be admitted to the hospital for at least 48 hours to monitor for complications.

The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that cooling be initiated at the scene, before transporting the patient to an emergency department for further evaluation and treatment. Despite extensive education and training, delays are still reported, owing to trepidation by athletic trainers to accurately diagnose and rapidly initiate treatment for EHS.

Although patients with heat stroke invariably are volume-depleted, cooling alone may improve hypotension and cardiac function by allowing blood to redistribute centrally. Aggressive fluid resuscitation is generally not recommended because it may lead to pulmonary edema.

For more on the treatment of heat stroke, read here.

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Cite this: Fast Five Quiz: Are You Familiar With Key Elements Regarding Heat Stroke? - Medscape - Aug 02, 2017.

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