Treating severe drug-induced hyperthermia with an ice-water bath

3 out of 5 stars Ice water submersion for rapid cooling in severe drug-induced hyperthermia. Laskowski LK et al. Clin Toxicol 2015 Mar;53:181-184. Abstract There is still debate about the optimal method of cooling severely hyperthermic patients, such as those with core temperature > 104oF (40oC) who are exhibiting changes in mental status. Some common techniques include ice packs to the groin and axillae, cooling blankets, along with convection (evaporation) techniques such as cool sprays and fans. There is little debate, however, about the proposition that the faster these extremely hyperthermic patients are cooled the better the outcomes. This fascinating paper present 2 spectacular cases of drug-induced severe hyperthermia treated by submerging the patient in an ice-water bath: A 27-year-old man was brought to the hospital with agitation after ingesting 4-fluoroamphetamine. (This was confirmed in the laboratory.) He rectal temperature was 106.5oF (41.4oC). He was immediately placed in an ice water bath, with core temperature measured every 5-60 seconds. After 22 minutes in the bath, he core temperature was 99.3oF (37.4oC). The patient received a total dose of 28 mg midazolam while submerged and did not exhibit shivering. On the second hospital day, he signed out against medical advice. A 32-year-old man was brought to hospital because of agitation and hallucinations after using cocaine. His rectal temperature was 112oF (44,4oC)!! He was paralyzed, intubated, and pla...
Source: The Poison Review - Category: Toxicology Authors: Tags: Medical active cooling drug-induced hyperthermia ice-water bath Source Type: news