Features and Outcomes of Classic Heat Stroke
Authors: I. Maurice Ndukwu
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1999)

Letters6 April 1999Features and Outcomes of Classic Heat StrokeI. Maurice Ndukwu, MD, MPH, Jane E. Dematte, MD, and Karen O'Mara, DOI. Maurice Ndukwu, MD, MPHUniversity of Chicago; Chicago, IL 60637 (Ndukwu)Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center; Chicago, IL 60521 (Dematte)Resurrection Medical Center; Chicago, IL 60631 (O'Mara)Search for more papers by this author, Jane E. Dematte, MDUniversity of Chicago; Chicago, IL 60637 (Ndukwu)Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center; Chicago, IL 60521 (Dematte)Resurrection Medical Center; Chicago, IL 60631 (O'Mara)Search for more papers by this author, and Karen O'Mara, DOUniversity of Chicago; Chicago, IL 60637 (Ndukwu)Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center; Chicago, IL 60521 (Dematte)Resurrection Medical Center; Chicago, IL 60631 (O'Mara)Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-130-7-199904060-00026 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail IN RESPONSE:We appreciate these comments and the opportunity to respond. Although we agree with some of the comments of Drs. Ayus and Arieff, we do not believe that disturbances in serum sodium levels were responsible for the neurologic impairment in our patients. Serum sodium levels at admission were not substantially abnormal in our patients. In addition, sodium values at admission did not differ among patients with minimal or no impairment and those with moderate to severe impairment at discharge.We agree with Dr. Bouchama that the role of infection in the pathogenesis of heat stroke remains to be elucidated. ...References1. Tek D, Olshker JS. Heat illness. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 1992;10:299-310. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. Costrini AM. Emergency treatment of exertional heatstroke and comparison of whole body cooling techniques. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1990;22:15-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. O'Donnell TF, Clowes GH. The circulatory abnormalities of heatstroke. N Engl J Med. 1972;287:734-7. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. Weiner JS, Khogali M. A physiological body-cooling unit for treatment of heatstroke. Lancet. 1980;1:507-9. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. Hubbard RW, Gaffin SL, Squire DL. Heat-related illnesses. In: Auerbach PS, ed. Wilderness Medicine: Management of Wilderness and Environmental Emergencies. 3d ed. St. Louis: Mosby; 1995:167-212. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: I. Maurice Ndukwu, MD, MPH; Jane E. Dematte, MD; Karen O'Mara, DOAffiliations: University of Chicago; Chicago, IL 60637 (Ndukwu)Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center; Chicago, IL 60521 (Dematte)Resurrection Medical Center; Chicago, IL 60631 (O'Mara) PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoNear-Fatal Heat Stroke during the 1995 Heat Wave in Chicago Jane E. Dematte , Karen O'Mara , Jennifer Buescher , Cynthia G. Whitney , Sean Forsythe , Turi McNamee , Raghavendra B. Adiga , and I. Maurice Ndukwu Increasing Stair Use Ross Andersen , Shawn Franckowiak , and Susan Bartlett Metrics 6 April 1999Volume 130, Issue 7Page: 614-615KeywordsEmergency departmentForecastingHealth carePathogenesisSodiumStrokeTemperature ePublished: 15 August 2000 Issue Published: 6 April 1999 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 1999 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...