Management of heatstroke using the novel, reusable, CarbonCool® suit: a case report

: Heatstroke is a life-threatening condition with high morbidity and mortality. Prompt recognition and institution of cooling measures has been shown to greatly improve outcomes. This is a case report demonstrating the use of a novel cooling suit (CarbonCool ® suit) in a case of exertional heatstroke (EHS). The CarbonCool ® suit is a half-body suit with cooling pads (MPad TM ) that are filled with a graphite water solution found to be 15 times more thermally conductive than ice. In this case report, a previously well 31-year-old male presented to the Emergency Department (ED) with EHS, subsequently requiring intubation. The CarbonCool ® suit was used to reduce his core (rectal) temperature from 41 ℃ to 38.7 ℃ in two hours. Patient’s core temperature subsequently normalized to 37 ℃ and he was discharged well and neurologically intact. The case report demonstrates that the suit can be easily worn and secured in place, while resuscitative measures are ongoing. This reduces the need for constant monitoring and replacement of ice packs, hence serving as a convenient alternative to ice packs for initial management of patients with EHS. While alternative cooling methods such as powered cooling devices may be utilized, these devices are often only available in the intensive care unit, with significantly higher operative costs. Use of the CarbonCool ® suit as an adjunct to other cooling methods may be a simple solution for rapid initiation of cooling in the patient with heatstroke.