Malignant Hyperthermia

Mo Med. 2019 Mar-Apr;116(2):154-159.

Abstract

Malignant Hyperthermia (MH) is a life-threatening pharmacogenetic disorder which results from exposure to volatile anesthetic agents and depolarizing muscle relaxants. It manifests as a hypermetabolic response resulting in tachycardia, tachypnea, hyperthermia, hypercapnia, acidosis, muscle rigidity and rhabdomyolysis. An increase in the end-tidal carbon dioxide is one of the earliest diagnostic signs. Dantrolene sodium is effective in the management of MH, and should be available whenever general anesthesia is administered. This review also aims to highlight the genetics and pathology of MH, along with its association with various inherited myopathy syndromes like central core disease, multi-mini core disease, Native-American myopathy, and King-Denborough syndrome.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anesthetics / adverse effects*
  • Dantrolene / administration & dosage
  • Humans
  • Malignant Hyperthermia / diagnosis*
  • Malignant Hyperthermia / epidemiology
  • Malignant Hyperthermia / genetics*
  • Muscle Relaxants, Central / administration & dosage
  • Neuromuscular Depolarizing Agents / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Anesthetics
  • Muscle Relaxants, Central
  • Neuromuscular Depolarizing Agents
  • Dantrolene