ENGLISH ABSTRACT
JOURNAL ARTICLE
REVIEW
Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

[Malignant hyperthermia].

Der Anaesthesist 1983 April
Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a rare syndrome seen when susceptible individuals are exposed to one or more of various triggering agents, most commonly a depolarizing muscle relaxant or an inhalational anaesthetic agent. There is a dramatic rise in metabolic rate and oxygen consumption which if not treated promptly and effectively results, in the majority of cases, in the patient's death. Fatal responses to physical stress associated with the familial muscular disease known as MH are being increasingly reported in situations not related to anaesthesia or drugs. Moreover, cases of MH were recognized to be "induced" in the postoperative period when obviously the major effects of anaesthesia were no longer of important consideration. Therefore a more expanded concept of MH seems to develop, including the assumption that one of the other factors in MH is stress. The implication of this extends far beyond the scope of anaesthesiology. The acute hypermetabolic state in MH, resulting in acidosis, heat production and muscular activity is probably due to an inability to control calcium concentration within the skeletal muscle fiber, and may involve a generalized alteration in cellular or subcellular membrane permeability. The susceptibility to develop MH is controlled by several genetic factors. Evaluation of affected families is guided by in vitro analysis of drug-induced contractures in muscle biopsy specimens; a practical and reliable non-invasive test to predict the susceptibility is still being sought. At the present time there is incontrovertible evidence that the hydantoin derivate dantrolene sodium is the only known specific drug in treatment and prophylaxis of MH. A concept for the treatment of MH and guidelines for the management of a patient at risk are presented; medico legal aspects of the complication are stressed.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app