Cooling Methods for Heatstroke Victims
Authors: Stephen L. Gaffin, John W. Gardner, Scott D. Flinn
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2000)

Letters18 April 2000Cooling Methods for Heatstroke VictimsStephen L. Gaffin, PhD, John W. Gardner, MD, DrPH, and Scott D. Flinn, MDStephen L. Gaffin, PhDU.S. Army Research Institute for Environmental Medicine; Natick, MA 01760-5007 (Gaffin)Uniformed Service University of the Health Sciences; Bethesda, MD 20814-4799 (Gardner)Branch Medical Clinic; Parris Island, SC 29905 (Flinn), John W. Gardner, MD, DrPHU.S. Army Research Institute for Environmental Medicine; Natick, MA 01760-5007 (Gaffin)Uniformed Service University of the Health Sciences; Bethesda, MD 20814-4799 (Gardner)Branch Medical Clinic; Parris Island, SC 29905 (Flinn), and Scott D. Flinn, MDU.S. Army Research Institute for Environmental Medicine; Natick, MA 01760-5007 (Gaffin)Uniformed Service University of the Health Sciences; Bethesda, MD 20814-4799 (Gardner)Branch Medical Clinic; Parris Island, SC 29905 (Flinn)Author, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-132-8-200004180-00023 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:Morbidity and mortality in heatstroke victims increase with the magnitude of the core temperature reached and the duration of high temperature until it is reduced to near-normal. Although rapid cooling is the most important intervention, widespread uncertainty surrounds the best cooling procedure: evaporative spray or ice-water treatment (1).No studies have simultaneously compared these procedures for persons with exertional heatstroke and classic heatstroke. However, in patients with classic heatstroke and those with exertional heatstroke, ice-water cooling was twice as rapid in reducing the core temperature as the evaporative spray method (0.20 °C/min compared with 0.11 °C/min) (2). ...References1. Graham BS. Features and outcomes of classic heat stroke [Letter]. Ann Intern Med. 1999;130:613-4. LinkGoogle Scholar2. Armstrong LE, Crago AE, Adams R, Roberts WO, Maresh CM. Whole-body cooling of hyperthermic runners: comparison of two field therapies. Am J Emerg Med. 1996;14:355-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Costrini AM. Emergency treatment of exertional heatstroke and comparison of whole body cooling techniques. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1990;22:15-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. Khogali M, Weiner JS. Heat stroke: report on 18 cases. Lancet. 1980;2:276-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. Sawka MN, Wenger CB. Physiological responses to acute exercise heat stress.. In: Pandolf KB, Sawka MN, Gonzalez RR, eds. Human Performance Physiology and Environmental Medicine at Terrestrial Extremes. Indianapolis, IN: Benchmark Pr; 1988:97-151. Google Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: U.S. Army Research Institute for Environmental Medicine; Natick, MA 01760-5007 (Gaffin)Uniformed Service University of the Health Sciences; Bethesda, MD 20814-4799 (Gardner)Branch Medical Clinic; Parris Island, SC 29905 (Flinn) PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoArterial Endothelial Dysfunction Related to Passive Smoking Is Potentially Reversible in Healthy Young Adults Olli T. Raitakari , Mark R. Adams , Robyn J. McCredie , Kaye A. Griffiths , and David S. Celermajer Metrics Cited ByThermoregulatory disorders and their significance in the elderlyAcute liver failure and hepatic encephalopathy in exertional heat strokeDancing to death: A case of heat strokeHOT ENVIRONMENTSRapid cooling after acute hyperthermia alters intestinal morphology and increases the systemic inflammatory response in pigsHeat Illness and HypothermiaHeat InjuryHistorical Perspectives on Medical Care for Heat Stroke, Part 2: 1850 Through the PresentTreatment of exertional heat injuries with portable body cooling unit in a mass endurance eventDisorders of ThermoregulationProcedures Pertaining to Hypothermia and HyperthermiaDifferences between Sexes in Rectal Cooling Rates after Exercise-Induced HyperthermiaInfluence of adiposity on cooling efficiency in hyperthermic individualsHyperthermiaEcstasy (MDMA) and oral healthPathophysiology of Heat-Related IllnessesClinical Management of Heat-Related IllnessesTraveling with Sports TeamsHeat InjuryPathologies digestives dues au sportPathologies digestives dues au sportHeat stroke: implications for critical care and anaesthesia 18 April 2000Volume 132, Issue 8Page: 678-679KeywordsHypothalamusMorbidityMortalityRenal failureTemperature Issue Published: 18 April 2000 CopyrightCopyright © 2000 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF DownloadLoading ...