Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine (Nov 2024)

Death after sauna—case report of a heat stroke associated subarachnoid hemorrhage

  • Anna Maria Nothnagel,
  • Stefan Schwartz,
  • Igor Abramovich,
  • Thomas Schneider,
  • Stefan Angermair,
  • Sascha Treskatsch

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2024.1476962
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11

Abstract

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Heat exposure could cause organ injuries leading to multi-organ failure. This case report describes a cardiopulmonary healthy 61-year-old woman who was admitted to our university hospital in an unconscious state after spending more than 30 min in an 80°C sauna. Initial radiological imaging revealed no pathological findings. Laboratory results revealed a rapidly progressing disseminated intravascular coagulation (“DIC”) and a clinically asymptomatic COVID-19 infection. The patient died 38 h after admission due to a second-stage subarachnoid hemorrhage associated with progressive DIC. This report emphasizes the importance of awareness and strategies to mitigate deadly consequences of heat exposure.

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