Hyperpyrexia in major burn injury: describing the epidemiology and evaluating the effectiveness of an…

Cohort studyBurns : journal of the International Society for Burn Injuries· Jun 2026

Hyperpyrexia in major burn injury: describing the epidemiology and evaluating the effectiveness of an intravascular temperature management device.

Christopher McGovern, Honey Morris, Lia Paton … Kathryn Puxty

Burns & Wound ReconstructionCohort studyTreatmentQ1IF 2.3

More than half of major burn patients developed hyperpyrexia in this cohort.

Hyperpyrexia in major burn injury: describing the epidemiology and evaluating the effectiveness of an intravascular temperature management device.

Christopher McGovern … Kathryn Puxty

Burns · Jun 2026 · Q1 in Surgery

Background

Hyperpyrexia is a complication of burn injury, likely caused by systemic inflammation and infection, the pathophysiology of which is poorly understood.

Purpose

This study aimed to describe the patient cohort who developed hyperpyrexia (≥39.5°C) and evaluate the effectiveness of the Thermogard XP Icy®, an intravascular temperature management device, in restoring normothermia.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of adult patients admitted to Glasgow Royal Infirmary's intensive care unit with major burns (TBSA ≥20%) between January 2016 and October 2024.

56.3%

Results

56.3%

30 of 56 major burn patients (56.3%) developed hyperpyrexia during their ICU stay.

More results

This cohort were more likely to have sustained a flame burn (p = 0.003), have a greater burn TBSA (p = 0.006) and longer hospital stay (p = 0.005) when compared to non-hyperpyrexic patients; however, mortality rates did not differ significantly.

More results

Eight patients were managed with a Thermogard XP®; this appeared to achieve normothermia quicker than standard interventions.

“

Conclusion · 1 of 2

Hyperpyrexia was associated with more severe burn injuries and greater intervention requirements but not increased mortality.

Conclusion · 2 of 2

The Thermogard XP® seemed effective at controlling temperatures ≥ 39.5°C in this small single-centre observational study; future studies are needed to further explore its effectiveness and impact on outcomes such as survival.

Hyperpyrexia in major burn injury: describing the epidemiology and evaluating the effectiveness of an intravascular temperature management device.

Hyperpyrexia in major burn injury: describing the epidemiology and evaluating the effectiveness of an intravascular temperature management device.

Related papers