[Hemorrhagic shock and encephalopathy. Its possible relation with heat stroke].

A comparative study of two patients, one affected by haemorrhagic shock and encephalopathy (HSE) and the other by heatstroke is reported. Both presented shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation, neurological damage and hepatopathy. A lowered alpha 1-antitrypsin concentration as well as a slightly increased circulating immune complexes and complement consumption were observed in the HSE patient but not in the heatstroke one. In both, cultures for bacteria were negative, the viral serology was non-specific and hepatitis A and B studies were negative. HSE patient died. A possible relationship between HSE, heatstroke, malignant hyperthermia and halothane hepatitis is postulated. Fever, potentially hepatotoxic drugs or unknown agents (HSE) might trigger this clinical picture.