Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40495243›Full record

ReviewEuropean journal of medical research2025

Pre-hospital cooling in community-acquired heat stroke (CAHS): evidence, challenges, and strategies.

Shu Cong, Guangxin Zheng, Xiaojuan Liang, Jianjun Gui, Hong Zhang, Jun Wang

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in European journal of medical research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Shu CongDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Bao'an Clinical Institute of Shantou University Medical College, Shenzhen, China.
Guangxin ZhengDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Bao'an Clinical Institute of Shantou University Medical College, Shenzhen, China.
Xiaojuan LiangDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Bao'an Clinical Institute of Shantou University Medical College, Shenzhen, China.
Jianjun GuiDepartment of Emergency Medicine, Bao'an Clinical Institute of Shantou University Medical College, Shenzhen, China. homegjj@gmail.com.
Hong ZhangShenzhen Center for Prehospital Care, Shenzhen, China.
Jun WangDepartment of Critical Care Medicine, Bao'an Clinical Institute of Shantou University Medical College, Shenzhen, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundHeat stroke (HS) is a critical medical emergency characterized by severe hyperthermia and central nervous system dysfunction, occurring predominantly in conditions of high ambient temperatures or through physical exertion. With rising global temperatures, the incidence and severity of HS are expected to increase, presenting substantial public health challenges.

objectivesThis review synthesizes current evidence on cooling methods for HS, addresses challenges in managing community-acquired heat stroke (CAHS), and proposes strategies to enhance pre-hospital and emergency department (ED) care.

methodsWe evaluated existing literature on cooling strategies, focusing on different subtypes of HS (classic and exertional) and the efficacy of rapid cooling techniques. In addition, we reviewed epidemiological data and proposed a subclassification of HS into supervised and community-acquired heat stroke to better understand healthcare accessibility impacts.

resultsWater, particularly cold water immersion, is recognized as the most effective medium for cooling HS due to its superior thermal properties. Rapid cooling (> 0.15 °C/min) is crucial for survival, significantly reducing case fatality rates and medical complications. Supervised HS, often managed promptly at athletic or military events, shows near-zero fatality rates with immediate cooling. In contrast, CAHS presents unique challenges due to delayed medical intervention and lack of immediate cooling resources. Current strategies to improve CAHS management include public education, dispatcher-guided first aid, and pre-hospital cooling techniques such as internal cooling with cold saline and gastric lavage.

conclusionsEffective HS management hinges on rapid cooling, with water immersion being the gold standard. To mitigate the rising burden of HS, particularly in community settings, there is a need for enhanced public awareness, training for emergency responders, and improved pre-hospital equipment. Future strategies should focus on integrating cooling interventions into emergency response protocols and ensuring timely access to cooling resources in both pre-hospital and ED settings.

Indexed as

Emergency Medical ServicesHeat StrokeHypothermia, InducedHumansCooling methodsHeat strokeHyperthermiaPrehospital emergency care

Identifiers

PMID40495243
PMCPMC12153164

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.