Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42258868›Full record

ReviewThe western journal of emergency medicine2026

Mechanisms and Intervention Strategies for Heat Stroke-Associated Myocardial Dysfunction: A Narrative Review.

Yan Zhuang, Xiao-Huan Zhuang, Xin-Yuan Zhang, Da-Cheng Wang, Yan Yang

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in The western journal of emergency medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing 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

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
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

5 authors.

Yan ZhuangAffiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Xiao-Huan ZhuangAffiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Xin-Yuan ZhangAffiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Da-Cheng WangAffiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.
Yan YangAffiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Department of Critical Care Medicine, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionHeatstroke is a life-threatening condition defined by a core body temperature exceeding 40° C and central nervous system dysfunction. Its onset is potentiated by high heat and humidity, especially if superimposed upon high thermal loads due to exertion or to impaired ability to sweat as associated with the use of certain medications. The condition can trigger systemic inflammation and potentially fatal multi-organ failure. The heart is a primary organ affected; heatstroke-associated myocardial dysfunction may present as tachycardia, arrhythmias, heart failure, or ischemic injury.

methodsThis narrative review was informed by a structured search of PubMed and Embase. The search focused on literature from the past 10 years, supplemented by earlier seminal studies where necessary. Key search terms included heatstroke, myocardial injury, dysfunction, biomarkers, cooling strategies, monitoring, and circulatory support. We prioritized human clinical studies, reviews, and consensus statements on acute management, along with preclinical studies.

resultsHeatstroke-associated myocardial dysfunction has a multifactorial pathophysiology involving direct thermal cytotoxicity, systemic inflammation, endothelial injury, coagulopathy, mitochondrial dysfunction, and dysregulated cell death. Cardiac manifestations include myocardial injury, arrhythmia, and ventricular dysfunction. Early diagnosis requires an electrocardiogram, cardiac biomarkers, and echocardiography. Management is centered on rapid cooling, hemodynamic support, and close monitoring. Refractory cases may require invasive temperature control or mechanical circulatory support.

conclusionHeatstroke-associated myocardial dysfunction is a clinically important and potentially reversible complication. Timely cooling, vigilant cardiovascular assessment, and supportive management remain central to care, while targeted therapies and refined risk-stratification strategies require further clinical investigation.

Indexed as

CardiomyopathiesHeat StrokeBiomarkersHumansHypothermia, InducedBiomarkers

Identifiers

PMID42258868
PMCPMC13246188

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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.