The pathogenesis and management of heatstroke and heatstroke-induced lung injury

Abstract

In the past two decades, record-breaking heat waves have caused an increasing number of heat-related deaths, including heatstroke, globally. Heatstroke is a life-threatening systemic condition characterized by a core body temperature >40°C and the subsequent development of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. Lung injury is a well-documented complication of heatstroke and is usually the secondary cause of patient death. In recent years, extensive research has been conducted to investigate the underlying causes of heatstroke and heatstroke-induced lung injury. This review aims to consolidate and present the current understanding of the key pathogenic mechanisms involved in heatstroke and heatstroke-induced lung injury. In addition, systemic factors such as heat cytotoxicity, systemic inflammation, oxidative stress, endothelial cell dysfunction, and other factors are involved in the pathogenesis of lung injury in heatstroke. Furthermore, we also established current management strategies for heatstroke and heatstroke-induced lung injury. However, further investigation is required to fully understand the detailed pathogenesis of heatstroke so that potentially effective means of treating and preventing heatstroke and heatstroke-induced lung injury can be developed and studied.