What is Malignant Hyperthermia?
Malignant Hyperthermia (MH) is a rare but life-threatening condition that occurs approximately one in 50,000 anesthetics. It takes its name from the high fever (up to 108 degrees) that is one of the signs of the disease. MH is a genetically transmitted disease although it can appear without any previous family history, especially in patients with certain neuromuscular diseases like muscular dystrophy. The basic event in MH is a run-away metabolism of the body which can lead to cardiac collapse, brain injury, and even death. The disease can be triggered in susceptible patients by several commonly used anesthetic drugs. The signs and symptoms of MH are often quite dramatic when it occurs but fortunately there are established protocols and medicines to quickly treat this syndrome if it does occur. It is also vitally important to report a history of MH in the patient or patients family members to the anesthesia team. This will allow them to use a type of anesthesia that is not associated w
