Transcript Document
Heat and Cold
Emergencies
Jonathan Rochlin, MD
February 22, 2010
Outline
Physiology primer
Local injuries due to the cold
Hypothermia
Hyperthermia
Take home points
2
Objectives
Learn about the wide range of local cold injuries
Learn the dos and don’ts of frostbite treatment
Understand the management of hypothermia
Understand the spectrum of hyperthermic disorders
and their treatments
Understand how to prevent hyperthermia in the
young athlete
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Physiology primer
Local injuries due to the cold
Hypothermia
Hyperthermia
Take home points
4
Physiology Primer
Core temperature maintained within 0.6°C (1°F)
Balance between heat production and heat loss
Heat production:
• Basal cellular metabolism
• Muscle activity
Heat loss:
• Conduction
• Convection
• Evaporation
• Radiation
Behavioral control
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Physiology primer
Local injuries due to the cold
Hypothermia
Hyperthermia
Take home points
6
Local Injuries Due To The Cold
Frostnip
Frostbite
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Local Injuries Due To The Cold
Frostnip:
• Milder form of freezing local cold injury
• Symptoms: Pain, pallor
• Prognosis: Resolves with rewarming
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Local Injuries Due To The Cold –
Frostbite
Frostbite:
• The most severe local cold injury
• Who is at risk?
Those exposed to cold environments or
materials
Comorbidities
Alcohol intoxication
Inappropriate clothing
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Local Injuries Due To The Cold –
Frostbite
Sites most often affected:
• Head:
Ears
Nose
Cheeks
Chin
• Fingers
• Toes
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Local Injuries Due To The Cold –
Frostbite
• Pathophysiology:
Immediate damage: ice crystals cell death
Gradual damage: inflammatory process
tissue ischemia
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Local Injuries Due To The Cold –
Frostbite
Classification:
Thickness of
Tissue Necrosis
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Appearance
1st Degree
-No necrosis
-Central area of pallor and
numbness surrounded by edema
and erythema
2nd Degree
-Partial thickness skin
necrosis
-Large clear (or milky) blisters
surrounded by edema and
erythema
3rd Degree
-Full thickness skin and
subcutaneous tissue
necrosis
-Hemorrhagic blisters that
progress to black eschar over
several weeks
4th Degree
-Full thickness skin and
subcutaneous tissue
necrosis, with muscle
and bone involvement
Local Injuries Due To The Cold –
Frostbite
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Local Injuries Due To The Cold –
Frostbite
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Local Injuries Due To The Cold –
Frostbite
Symptoms and appearance:
• Cold
• Numb
• White, pale or gray
• Hard or waxy
• Edema and erythema
• Blisters
• Eschars
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Local Injuries Due To The Cold –
Frostbite
Treatment – rewarming:
• Dos:
As soon as possible
Immerse in warm water (about 40°C)
Until pink (about 20-30 minutes)
Increase body temperature
• Don’ts:
Use hot water
Dry heat, stoves or fire
Rub or massage
Don’t rewarm if the part will be refrozen
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Local Injuries Due To The Cold –
Frostbite
Treatment – wound care:
• Goal: prevent infection
• Don’t pop blisters
• Let the area dry
• Apply bulky dressing:
Sterile technique
Non-stick first layer
Separate digits
Non-occlusive
Watch for pressure spots
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Local Injuries Due To The Cold –
Frostbite
Treatment – other interventions:
• Dos:
Cardiac monitor
Warmed fluids
Elevate
IV narcotics
Ibuprofen
Tetanus prophylaxis
IV antibiotics (only for signs of infection)
X-ray
Consult surgery
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Local Injuries Due To The Cold –
Frostbite
Treatment – other interventions:
• Don’ts:
Debride or amputate immediately
Walk on frostbitten feet
Use vasoconstrictive agents
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Local Injuries Due To The Cold –
Frostbite
Complications:
• Short-term
• Long-term
Prognosis:
• Must wait until demarcation
• Disease of morbidity, not mortality
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Physiology primer
Local injuries due to the cold
Hypothermia
Hyperthermia
Take home points
21
Hypothermia
Epidemiology:
• About 700 deaths per year in the U.S.
• Mortality rate ~ 40%
• It can happen anywhere
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Hypothermia
Definition:
• Core temperature ≤ 35°C (≤ 95°F)
Mild hypothermia: 32-35°C (89.6-95°F)
Moderate hypothermia: 28-32°C (82.4-89.6°F)
Severe hypothermia: < 28°C (< 82.4°F)
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Hypothermia
Physiologic response to cold:
• Heat production increased:
Metabolism increased
Muscle tone increased shivering
• Heat loss decreased:
Sweating stopped
Vasoconstriction occurs
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Hypothermia
Populations most at risk:
• Neonates
• Elderly
• Homeless
• But it can happen to anyone
Risk factors:
• Physical disability
• Psychiatric disorders
• Medications and drugs
• Vehicular breakdown
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Hypothermia
Causes:
• Exposure to cold water or air
• Sepsis
• Burns
• CNS dysfunction
• Endocrinopathies
• Metabolic disorders
• Neuromuscular diseases
• Hypoglycemia
• Iatrogenic
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Hypothermia
Clinical manifestations:
• General appearance: pale, gray or cyanotic and
cold
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Hypothermia
Clinical manifestations – CNS:
• Decreased consciousness is most consistent
finding
• Progressive decline from confusion to coma
• Decrease in DTRs
• Dilated pupils
• EEG changes
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Hypothermia
Clinical manifestations – respiratory:
• Early findings:
Tachypnea
Bronchorrhea airway obstruction/aspiration
• Late findings:
Hypoventilation
Pulmonary edema
Apnea
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Hypothermia
Clinical manifestations – cardiovascular:
• Early findings:
Increased BP
Tachycardia
• Late findings:
Bradycardia
Hypotension
Conduction abnormalities:
– Prolonged intervals
– V fib
– Asystole
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Hypothermia
Clinical manifestations
– cardiovascular:
• J wave
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Hypothermia
Clinical manifestations – metabolic:
• Decreased metabolic rate
• Respiratory and metabolic acidosis
• Hyper- or hypoglycemia
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Hypothermia
Clinical manifestations – renal:
• Early findings:
“Cold diuresis”
• Late findings:
Decreased renal perfusion
Oliguria
Hyperkalemia
Edema
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Hypothermia
Clinical manifestations – hematologic:
• Hematocrit increases
• WBC and platelet counts fall
• DIC
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Hypothermia
Clinical manifestations – GI:
• Ileus
• Hepatic dysfunction
• Pancreatitis
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Hypothermia
Clinical manifestations – musculoskeletal:
• Early findings:
Shivering
• Late findings:
No shivering
Pseudo rigor mortis
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Hypothermia
Severe hypothermia mimics death
But the patient may be alive
You’re not dead until you’re warm and dead
Resuscitate until temperature is 32-35°C (90-95°F)
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Hypothermia
Initial resuscitation:
• Airway, breathing (A/B):
Supplemental oxygen
Intubate early, and gently
Ventilate at ½ normal minute ventilation
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Hypothermia
Initial resuscitation:
• Circulation (C) – rate and rhythm:
Is there an organized rhythm?
PALS/ACLS algorithm:
– V fib:
» Defibrillation
» Bretylium
– Asystole:
» Pharmacotherapy
– Rarely effective
CPR
Try again after temperature rises
Handle gently
Correcting temperature can correct rhythm
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Hypothermia
Initial resuscitation:
• Circulation (C) – blood pressure support:
Obtain IV access
Warmed fluids
Dopamine
Watch for rebound hypotension
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Hypothermia
Initial resuscitation:
• Disability (D)
• Exposure (E)
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Hypothermia
Monitoring:
• Core temperature – low reading thermometer
• Cardiac monitor
• Place pulse ox probe on ear or forehead
• Foley
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Hypothermia
Laboratory evaluation:
• CBC
• BMP
• Amylase
• pt, ptt, INR
• ABG
• BCx
• UDS and alcohol level
• EKG
• CXR
Treat abnormalities accordingly
Frequent reassessments
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Hypothermia
Rewarming:
• Immediately
• Passive external rewarming:
For mild hypothermia (> 32°C or 89.6°F)
Remove wet clothing
Place under blankets
The patient rewarms himself
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Hypothermia
Rewarming – active external rewarming:
• For moderate to severe hypothermia (< 32°C or
89.6°F)
• Place patient is warm room with overhead
warmers
• Warm blankets and clothes
• Heating pads
• Forced warm air
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Hypothermia
Rewarming – active external rewarming:
• Complications:
Core temperature afterdrop
– Rewarm trunk and head first
– Keep patient still
Body surface burns
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Hypothermia
Rewarming – active internal rewarming:
• Pleural irrigation
• Peritoneal irrigation
• Bladder irrigation
• Hemodialysis or CVVH
• Cardiopulmonary bypass
• Forced air rewarming
Complications:
• Hyperthermia
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Hypothermia
Why isn’t the patient getting warmer?
• Hypoglycemic?
• Septic?
• Adrenocortical insufficiency?
• Hypothyroidism?
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Hypothermia
Continued monitoring
Transfer
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Physiology primer
Local injuries due to the cold
Hypothermia
Hyperthermia
Take home points
50
Hyperthermia
Epidemiology:
• About 400 deaths per year in the U.S.
• Mortality rate ~ 10%
• Not just a tropical disease
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Hyperthermia
Definition:
• Core temperature > 38°C (> 100.4°F)
• Different from fever
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Hyperthermia
Physiologic response to heat:
• Heat loss increased:
Vasodilation occurs (radiation)
Sweating begins (evaporation)
– Up to 4L/hour
– Low rates: NaCl preserved
– High rates: NaCl depleted
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Hyperthermia
But when it’s really humid and hot, the body gains
heat from the environment excessive heat
storage
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Hyperthermia
Populations most at risk:
• Elderly
• Those that work or play in heat, humidity
• It can happen to anyone
Risk factors:
• Underlying medical conditions
• Alcohol and drug use
• Cystic fibrosis and congenital anhidrosis
• Children left in cars
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Hyperthermia
Causes of hyperthermia:
• Exposure to heat
• Malignant hyperthermia
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
• Infections
• CNS dysfunction
• Endocrinopathies
• Drug or alcohol withdrawal
• Drug toxicities
• Serotonin syndrome
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Hyperthermia
Broad spectrum of illnesses:
• Heat cramps
• Heat exhaustion
• Heat stroke
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Hyperthermia
Heat cramps:
• Characteristics:
Very painful cramps in affected muscle
Occurring in clusters
• When:
After severe work stress
When relaxing
Triggered by cold or extension
• Who:
Acclimated people
• Pathophysiology:
Salt depletion
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Hyperthermia
Heat cramps:
• Laboratory analysis:
Serum Na+ and Cl-: ↓
Urine Na+: ↓↓
• Treatment:
Rest
Intake of salty foods and liquids
NS boluses
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Hyperthermia
Heat exhaustion:
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When
Cause
Lab Analysis
Treatment
Water
depletion
-After physical
exertion in hot
environment
-Poor water
replacement
-Hct: ↑
-Urine Sgrav: ↑
-Serum Na+: ↑
-Serum Cl-: ↑
-Cool room
-PO liquids
-PO salt
-hypotonic IV
fluids: ¼ - ½ NS
(hypernatremic
dehydration)
Salt
depletion
-After physical
exertion in hot
environment
-Cystic fibrosis
-Poor salt
replacement
-Serum Na+: ↓
-Serum Cl-: ↓
-Urine Na+: ↓↓
-Cool room
-Salty food and
drink
-NS boluses
-3% hypertonic
saline
Hyperthermia – Heat Stroke
Definition:
• Core body temperature ≥41°C (≥105.8°F)
Clinical manifestations:
• General appearance:
Hot
Pink or ashen skin
Usually no sweat
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Hyperthermia – Heat Stroke
Clinical manifestations – CNS:
• Severe CNS dysfunction is a hallmark
• Many symptoms
• Seizures
• Coma
• Damage related to duration and height of
hyperthermia
• Dysfunction improves when temperature falls
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Hyperthermia – Heat Stroke
Clinical manifestations – cardiovascular:
• Tachycardia
• Hypotension
• Thready pulses
• Circulatory collapse
• Dysrhythmias and conduction abnormalities
Clinical manifestations – respiratory:
• Tachypnea
• Pulmonary edema
• ARDS
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Hyperthermia – Heat Stroke
Clinical manifestations – musculoskeletal:
• Rhabdomyolysis:
With or without cramps and pain
Elevated CPK
UA: heme positive
UMicro: no RBCs
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Hyperthermia – Heat Stroke
Clinical manifestations – renal and electrolytes:
• Possibly severe dehydration
• Na+ and Cl- may be low or normal
• Polyuria
• Hypokalemia
• Initial hypocalcemia
• Acute renal failure
Clinical manifestations – metabolic:
• Hypoglycemia
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Hyperthermia – Heat Stroke
Clinical manifestations – hematologic:
• Bleeding diathesis and DIC
Clinical manifestations – GI:
• N/V/D
Clinical manifestations – hepatic:
• Liver failure
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Hyperthermia – Heat Stroke
Management:
• A/B/Cs
• Cooling:
Remove clothing
Place in cool room
Evaporative cooling
Ice packs
Iced peritoneal irrigation
Adjuncts:
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– Cooling blankets
– Cool IV fluids
– Cold oxygen
Hyperthermia – Heat Stroke
Management – cooling:
• Don’ts:
Antipyretic agents
Alcohol sponge baths
Immerse the patient in ice water
Allow patient to shiver
• Continue until core temp < 38.5°C (≤ 101.3°F)
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Hyperthermia – Heat Stroke
Management – cardiovascular support:
• Guided by patient’s condition
• Severe dehydration is uncommon
• Titrate fluids and electrolytes to the patient
• Dobutamine
• Avoid α-agonists
• Avoid anticholinergic drugs
Treat any complications that arise
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Hyperthermia – Heat Stroke
Laboratory evaluation:
• CBC
• CMP
• CPK
• pt, ptt, INR
• ABG
• UDS and alcohol level
• UA/UMicro
• EKG
• CXR
Treat abnormalities accordingly
Frequent reassessments
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Hyperthermia – Heat Stroke
Monitoring:
• Core temperature
• Cardiac monitor
• Foley
• CVP
• CNS status
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Hyperthermia -- Prevention
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Hyperthermia -- Prevention
Reduce outdoor activities when it is hot outside
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Hyperthermia -- Prevention
Allow time for acclimation to the heat over 10-14
days
Hydration before and during the activity
Wear appropriate clothing
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Take Home Points
Hypothermia:
• It can happen in the summer
• You’re not dead until you’re warm and dead
• Low reading thermometer
• Defibrillation and cardiac drugs usually don’t
work
• Watch for “afterdrop”
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Take Home Points
Hyperthermia:
• It is not just a disease of the tropics
• It can happen to anyone
• CNS changes are the hallmark
• Multi-organ system involvement with many
complications
• Dobutamine
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