Xiang CH, Zhang XM, Liu J, Xiang J, Li L, Song Q. Exertional heat stroke with pronounced presentation of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia: A case report. World J Radiol 2024; 16(10): 545-551 [PMID: 39494140 DOI: 10.4329/wjr.v16.i10.545]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Qing Song, PhD, Doctor, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 28 Fuxing Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100853, China. songqing3010301@sina.com
Research Domain of This Article
Critical Care Medicine
Article-Type of This Article
Case Report
Open-Access Policy of This Article
This article is an open-access article which was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
World J Radiol. Oct 28, 2024; 16(10): 545-551 Published online Oct 28, 2024. doi: 10.4329/wjr.v16.i10.545
Exertional heat stroke with pronounced presentation of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia: A case report
Chu-Han Xiang, Xi-Mu Zhang, Jie Liu, Jun Xiang, Lei Li, Qing Song
Chu-Han Xiang, Jun Xiang, Department of Cardiology, The Affiliated Huaihai Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University, Xuzhou 221000, Jiangsu Province, China
Chu-Han Xiang, Jun Xiang, Department of Cardiology, The 71st Group Army Hospital of CPLA Army, Xuzhou 221000, Jiangsu Province, China
Xi-Mu Zhang, Jie Liu, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Hainan Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital, Sanya 572000, Hainan Province, China
Lei Li, Department of Emergency, Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China
Lei Li, Department of Emergency, The Second Naval Hospital of Southern Theater Command of The People’s Liberation Army, Sanya 572022, Hainan Province, China
Qing Song, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing 100853, China
Co-corresponding authors: Lei Li and Qing Song.
Author contributions: Xiang CH was responsible for drafting the manuscript and case description; Zhang XM conducted the data collection and provided critical revisions; Liu J was responsible for organizing references and editing the manuscript; Xiang J was responsible for offering scientific guidance and contributing to revisions; Li L was responsible for coordinating the manuscript submission; Song Q managed journal correspondence; All of the authors read and approved the final version of the manuscript to be published.
Informed consent statement: Informed consent was obtained from the patient for the publication of this case report.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare no conflict of interest in publishing the manuscript.
CARE Checklist (2016) statement: The authors have read the CARE Checklist (2016), and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the CARE Checklist (2016).
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Qing Song, PhD, Doctor, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Chinese PLA General Hospital, No. 28 Fuxing Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100853, China. songqing3010301@sina.com
Received: April 14, 2024 Revised: September 14, 2024 Accepted: October 8, 2024 Published online: October 28, 2024 Processing time: 196 Days and 18.2 Hours
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Exertional heat stroke (EHS) is a critical condition arising from prolonged physical exertion in high temperatures that typically presents with normal hemoglobin levels. However, atypical presentations can also occur, leading to significant complications such as hemolytic anemia and organ dysfunction.
CASE SUMMARY
This case report describes a male patient who experienced moderate-to-severe anemia that was difficult to correct, with a confirmed diagnosis of microangiopathic hemolytic anemia accompanying multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, indicative of critical EHS. Despite intensive resuscitation efforts, the patient’s condition deteriorated, necessitating admission to the intensive care unit for advanced management.
CONCLUSION
This case highlights the importance of recognizing atypical presentations of EHS, particularly that with significant hemolytic anemia and concurrent organ failure. Clinicians should maintain a high level of suspicion for these complications in patients displaying symptoms of heat-related illness, especially when caused by strenuous activity, as early diagnosis and intervention are crucial to improve patient outcomes.
Core Tip: This case report emphasizes the critical need for clinicians to recognize atypical presentations of exertional heat stroke, particularly when patients exhibit significant hemolytic anemia and multiple organ dysfunction. Early diagnosis and prompt intervention are essential to manage these complications to improve patient outcomes, especially after strenuous physical activity in high temperatures.
