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Multiple Organ Failure Following Near-fatal Exertional Heat Stroke

Critical Care Units and Division of Nephrology, The University Hospital of Caracas; and Instituto Medico La Floresta, Caracas, Venezuela, maxtrujillo{at}movistar.net.ve

Ezequiel Bellorin-Font, MD

Critical Care Units and Division of Nephrology, The University Hospital of Caracas; and Instituto Medico La Floresta, Caracas, Venezuela

Carlos F. Fragachan, MD

Critical Care Units and Division of Nephrology, The University Hospital of Caracas; and Instituto Medico La Floresta, Caracas, Venezuela

Ricardo Perret-Gentil, MD

Critical Care Units and Division of Nephrology, The University Hospital of Caracas; and Instituto Medico La Floresta, Caracas, Venezuela

We describe the clinical features of a patient with near-fatal heat stroke who was admitted to our intensive care unit. A 14-year-old girl became convulsive and hyperthermic when participating in a strenuous hike under direct sunlight in a hilly area in Venezuela on a very hot and humid day. During the following days, she developed multiple organ failure, including neurological impairment, acute renal failure, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and extensive hepatic and muscle damage. Treatment consisted of ventilatory support, hemodialysis, corticosteroids, and enteral nutrition. This case of multiple organ failure following near-fatal heat stroke illustrates that although there are no specific techniques and measures for the treatment of this condition, intensive care management and conservative strategies can result in patient survival and complete recovery.

Key Words: severe heat stroke • heat-related illness • multiple organ failure • fulminant hepatic failure • acute renal failure

This version was published on January 1, 2009

Journal of Intensive Care Medicine, Vol. 24, No. 1, 72-78 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/0885066608327122


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