Korean J Anesthesiol.  1992 Dec;25(6):1243-1249. 10.4097/kjae.1992.25.6.1243.

Malignant Hyperthermia during General Anesthesia

• Kim TW
• Chung HK
• Kyoun IS

• KMID: 1934123
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.1992.25.6.1243

Abstract

Malignant hyperthermia is a genetically transmitted, catastrophic, hypermetabolic syndrome that is induced by potent volatile anesthetics and/or depolarizing muscle relaxants. It is now well established that the pathophysiology is related to a malfunction of the intracellular calcium homeostasis in skeletal muscle. Morbidity has been correlated to the duration of symptoms. Dantrolene decreased release of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum. We recently encountered a fulminant case during halothane anesthesia. Anesthesia was induced with thiopental and succinylcholine without jaw tightness or stiffness. After induction, tachycardia, arrhythmias, increased end-tidal CO2, and high body temperature were noted. Arterial blood gas analysis showed a severe, mixed acidosis. Intensive treatment with body cooling was immediately initiated. But dantolene could not be available. The patient died of renal failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation 41 hours after induction of anesthesia.

Keyword

Malignant hyperthermia; Halothane; Succinylcholine; Dantrolene

MeSH Terms

Acidosis
Anesthesia
Anesthesia, General*
Anesthetics
Arrhythmias, Cardiac
Blood Gas Analysis
Body Temperature
Calcium
Dantrolene
Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation
Halothane
Homeostasis
Humans
Jaw
Malignant Hyperthermia*
Muscle, Skeletal
Neuromuscular Depolarizing Agents
Renal Insufficiency
Sarcoplasmic Reticulum
Succinylcholine
Tachycardia
Thiopental
Anesthetics
Calcium
Dantrolene
Halothane
Neuromuscular Depolarizing Agents
Succinylcholine
Thiopental