Epidemic classical heat stroke: clinical characteristics and course of 28 patients.

Patients with classical heat stroke are different in many ways from those with exertional injury; contrasts included difference in demographic factors, prior general health, in-hospital complications and laboratory abnormalities (lactate, liver enzymes, pH, electrolytes). Severe hyperkalemia, acute renal failure, rhabdomyolysis and disseminated intravascular coagulation often dominate the course of patients with exertional heat stroke but are uncommon in those with classical heat stroke (Table 4). While lactic acidosis is the rule in exertional injury, it is somewhat unusual in patients with classical heat stroke and when above 3 mmoles/L predicts a poor outcome or death. In spite of the advanced age and multiple medical problems of the patients with classical heat stroke, careful attention to early and aggressive cooling and scrutiny for potential complications can result in salvage of most patients.