Table 5 Summary of data on pharmacologic cooling in the treatment of classic heatstroke
From: Cooling and hemodynamic management in heatstroke: practical recommendations
Study (country, year) | Population | Study design | Intervention | Outcomes measured | Results | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
[28] (Saudi Arabia, 1990) | Classic heatstroke (n = 20) | Randomized controlled study | Evaporative cooling + dantrolene 2 to 4 mg/kg IV (n = 8) versus evaporative cooling alone (n = 12); target Trect: ≤ 38.9°C | Cooling time; mortality; morbidity | Cooling time in the dantrolene group lower than control (49.7 ± 4.4 versus 69.2 ± 4.8 minutes; p < 0.01); no difference in morbidity and mortality | Small sample size; randomization method not specified; comparability of baseline characteristics questionable |
[29] (Saudi Arabia, 1991) | Classic heatstroke (n = 52) | Randomized controlled study | Evaporative cooling + dantrolene 2 mg/kg IV (n = 26) versus evaporative cooling + placebo (n = 26); target Trect: ≤ 39.4°C | Cooling time; organ dysfunction; length of hospital stay; mortality | No significant difference between study and control groups for any of the endpoints | None |