ZW Cooling Bed for Treatment of Heatstroke Patients; A Randomized Trial for a New Therapeutic Approach Based on Computerized Simulation of Heat Dissipation

Abstract

Background Heatstroke (HS) is a serious medical condition with highmortality treated by rapid cooling. Advanced treatment strategies must be designed and explored continuously to improve HS outcomes and to evaluate the efficacy of ZW Cooling Bed in the treatment of classic heatstroke patients (CHS) and to compare it with the standard water mist fan cooling.Methods This prospective study was conducted in the Heat Stroke Center of Mina Hospitals in Mecca, Saudi Arabia during the annual pilgrimage season. Twenty consecutive CHS patients were randomized into ZW Cooling Bed and water mist fan cooling (controls).Results Out of 10 patients with CHS treated with ZW Cooling Bed and 10 controls, there were 4 males and 6 females in each group. The mean age of controls was significantly higher than patients (p = 0.028). The cooling rates of patients were significantly faster than the controls (p < 0.0001) and the cooling time was shorter (p = 0.048). The hospital stay was longer in the control group (p = 0.019). The WBC and CPK were higher among control group (p < 0.0001 and 0.001) respectively.Conclusions ZW Cooling Bed is the first device designed according to a computerized model for maximum heat dissipation. It achieved a rapid cooling rate for patients with CHS compared to the conventional method. This encouraging result may improve the future treatment outcome of heatstroke patients.