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Case Reports
. 2023 Aug 24;15(8):e44045.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.44045. eCollection 2023 Aug.

Severe Heat Stroke Resuscitation Using a Body Bag in a Community Emergency Department

Karthik Pittala  1 , Tyler F Willing  1 , Charles C Worrilow  1 , Matthew M Palilonis  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Severe Heat Stroke Resuscitation Using a Body Bag in a Community Emergency Department

Karthik Pittala et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Heat stroke can lead to severe complications such as end-organ damage and death. The primary treatment modality for heat stroke is rapid cold-water immersion to lower the patient's body temperature. This typically requires a large bath to place the patient in, which may not be available in small or community emergency departments. Although rarely present in the literature, a body bag for cold-water immersion can be used if a bath is not available. Here, we present a case of a 63-year-old male who presented to the emergency department unresponsive with hyperthermia after a heat wave warning was issued. After a thorough workup and imaging, the patient was given IV saline and naloxone, which did not improve his condition. Therefore, the patient was placed in a body bag filled with cold water and ice until his body temperature reduced to 100°F, after which he was removed and closely monitored. The patient was safely discharged and only required repeat lab work three days after discharge. This case highlights a unique technique that emergency physicians can utilize in scenarios where a typical cold-water immersion setup and execution are not possible.

Keywords: body bag; emergency medicine; heat stroke; hyperthermia; resuscitation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Normal head computerized tomography (CT) scan
Figure 2
Figure 2. Normal cervical spine computerized tomography (CT) scan
Figure 3
Figure 3. Normal chest/abdomen/pelvis computerized tomography (CT) scan
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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