Malignant hyperthermia

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Malignant hyperthermia

Alternative Names:

Hyperthermia - malignant; Hyperpyrexia - malignant
Treatment:

The best course of action for this condition is prevention. The use of appropriate anesthetic medication can prevent the complications of malignant hyperthermia during surgery.If you or other members of your family have a history of anesthesia-related problems, you must inform your surgeon and anesthesiologist.

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For an episode of malignant hyperthermia, fever-reducing medicines (antipyretics) such as acetaminophenand a cooling blanket can help reduce fever. The use of a drug called dantrolene during episodes of malignant hyperthermia has greatly reduced the number of deaths.

Fluids given by IV and mouth,as well as certain medications, are essential for maintaining kidney function during an acute episode.

Support Groups:

Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States - www.mhaus.org

Expectations (prognosis):

Repeated episodes or untreated episodes can cause kidney failure. Untreated episodes can be fatal.

Complications:

Rhabdomyolysis, a kidney injury caused by excess myoglobin
Renal failure
Myopathy (weak muscles) or muscular dystrophy
Death

Calling your health care provider:

If you know that you or a member of your family has had problems with general anesthesia, or if you know you have a family history of malignant hyperthermia, be sure to notify both the surgeon and the anesthesiologist before having any surgery.

References:

Marx J. Rosen?s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 5th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2002:2000.