Heat stroke is a life-threatening illness, and the disease spectrum can include the involvement of multiple organs to varying degrees.
Rhabdomyolysis with renal function impairment is frequently noted in this disease. However,
acute hepatic failure has been rarely reported in non-exertional
heat stroke. We report a case of
acute hepatic failure combined with disseminated intravascular coagulopathy,
acute renal failure, and neurological deficit caused by
heat stroke after bathing in a hot spring. Molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS) treatment was performed daily on days 10-12 of admission. As a result of progressive
azotemia,
hemodialysis was performed. Unfortunately, after a long course of
intensive care, the patient died from
septic shock and
multiple organ failure. According to available evidence, MARS and
hemodialysis are beneficial in treating exertional
heat stroke. However, a limited number of studies have treated non-exertional
heat-stroke-related
acute hepatic failure. Early cooling to reduce the overwhelming heat-stress-related
cytokine storm, and advanced MARS to eliminate circulating toxin might have a role in treating this rare but fatal illness.