Liver failure occurring as a component of exertional heatstroke

Gastroenterology. 1991 May;100(5 Pt 1):1442-7.

Abstract

An unusual case of an exertional heatstroke in a healthy 25-year-old man is presented. Initially, the patient was deeply comatose and developed severe rhabdomyolysis and massive hepatic necrosis. Subsequently, he received a liver transplant with remarkable improvement in his mental status, although the rhabdomyolysis continued. The patient died 41 days after the transplant due to a complicating infection. Providing that infections can be effectively controlled, liver transplants might be a promising therapeutic alternative for the few patients who survive the initial neurological consequences of this unusual event.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Heat Exhaustion / complications*
  • Heat Exhaustion / surgery
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy / etiology*
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy / pathology
  • Hepatic Encephalopathy / surgery
  • Humans
  • Liver / pathology
  • Liver Transplantation
  • Male
  • Muscles / pathology
  • Physical Exertion
  • Rhabdomyolysis / etiology
  • Sepsis / etiology