Coup de chaleur fatal chez un homme de 38Â ans

Heat stroke is a life threatening condition whose diagnosis is clinical, with an increase in core temperature to more than 40°C associated with neurological or even multivisceral failure. It is a public health issue, leading to a significant non-negligible rate of preventable mortality and neurological morbidity. Management should be started as early as possible with three axes: body cooling below 39°C as quickly as possible, haemodynamic support and symptomatic treatment of organic failures. Various cooling techniques are possible depending on the resources available. No technique has shown its superiority over another. Thus, cooling can be carried out by conduction (application of ice on vascular axes, immersion in icy water, stomach irrigation, dialysis and perfusion with glacial solutes, extracorporeal circulation), convection and evaporation (air conditioning, fresh water, ventilation). With regards to pharmaceutical substances, sodium dantrolene has no indication in heat stroke; paracetamol and acetylsalicylic acid should be avoided. Haemodynamic support must be adapted to the patient and the use of vasopressive amines must be considered.