[Malignant hyperthermia]

Abstract

Malignant hyperthermia susceptibility is a rare pharmacogenetic muscular disorder that may lead to potentially fatal complications in routine anesthesia. Malignant hyperthermia is triggered by volatile anesthetics and succinylcholine. In this article the pathophysiology of malignant hyperthermia, its signs, symptoms and treatment as well as safe anesthetic agents for individuals susceptible to malignant hyperthermia are discussed. Although progress is made in our knowledge of the genetics behind malignant hyperthermia, muscle biopsy and in-vitro contracture testing is still the only way to diagnose malignant hyperthermia susceptibility in the vast majority of cases. Danish Malignant Hyperthermia Center at the Anesthetic Department of Herlev University Hospital, DK-2730 Herlev, takes care of all testing for malignant hyperthermia in Denmark and keeps a registry of all Danes with known or suspected susceptibility to malignant hyperthermia.