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MALIGNANT HYPERTHERMIA

Doctor Patient  

Malignant hyperthermia is a life-threatening disorder, usually triggered by medications given during a general anesthetic. These medications include succinyl choline (a muscle relaxant) and inhaled anesthetics (gases).
 
Only certain individuals are susceptible to malignant hyperthermia. This is thought to be due to a genetic mutation and is inherited as an autosomal dominant trait. It is described as a mutation on the ryanodine receptor and affects calcium distribution in the muscle cells. 
 
If malignant hyperthermia is triggered, it leads to an uncontrolled release of calcium in the cells which causes muscle rigidity and symptoms including an increased temperature, increased carbon dioxide production, increased heart rate, arrhythmias and a metabolic acidosis.
 
Malignant hyperthermia is a medical emergency and requires rapid treatment with dantrolene, cooled intravenous fluids, sedation and treatment of the metabolic acidosis. The therapy helps to cool the person and balance the acid-base status of the blood.
 
When you are seen by your anesthesiologist before surgery he/she will always ask you if there is a family history of problems with anesthesia, and this is the reason why. If there is a family history of malignant hyperthermia, this information will change the anesthetic plan for you. We will still be able to "put you to sleep" but we will use a "non-triggering anesthetic."
 
A "non-triggering anesthetic" means that we only use a special anesthesia machine, useful only for patients who are at risk for malignant hyperthermia, and certain medicines that are safe for malignant hyperthermia patients. People with malignant hyperthermia are able to undergo regional anesthesia (nerve blocks and epidurals) without a problem.
 
If there is a positive family history or you have had an episode of malignant hyperthermia, there is testing you should have done called a muscle biopsy. Also if you do have a positive family history of malignant hyperthermia you should wear a Medic Alert bracelet stating so.
 
Madison Anesthesiology Consultants, LLP is committed to continued research for Malignant Hyperthermia and contributes to this important effort annually. For more information about Malignant Hyperthermia, resources on this topic are available in the Resources section.