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Malignant Hyperthermia



Malignant Hyperthermia Causes


Malignant hyperthermia is caused by exposure to drugs used for general anesthesia. This includes volatile anesthetics and suxamethonium chloride, a well-known depolarizing muscle relaxant.


Malignant Hyperthermia Definition


Malignant hyperthermia is a rare life-threatening condition. It is triggered by exposure to most drugs used in general anesthesia. Vulnerability to malignant hyperthermia is most of the time inherited as an autosomal dominant disorder. It is genetically associated with Central Core Disease, which usually presents malignant hyperthermia manifestations and myopathy, described as a muscle suffering disorder.


Malignant Hyperthermia Diagnosis


The caffeine-halothane contracture test (CHCT) is the most common and recognized as standard procedure to diagnose patients who are vulnerable to suffer malignant hyperthermia. The procedure begins by getting a muscle biopsy and bathing that fresh biopsy in caffeine or halothane solution while observing contraction.


Malignant Hyperthermia Symptoms and Signs


The signs and symptoms of malignant hyperthermia is a step-by-step occurrence that starts to present with muscle rigidity, followed by a hypermetabolic condition marked with increased oxygen consumption and increased carbon dioxide production, metabolic acidosis, rapid heartbeat (tachycardia), and a remarkable increase of body temperature. It will then be followed with muscle cells breakdown.


Malignant Hyperthermia Treatment


At present, the most widely used medication to treat malignant hyperthermia includes Dantrolene (administration is done intravenously), withdrawing from exposure to triggering agents and supportive therapy for the purpose of correcting hyperthermia, acidosis, and any organ dysfunction as well as any consequential complication.


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