Malignant hyperthermia: is your facility prepared to treat this rare condition?

Malignant hyperthermia: is your facility prepared to treat this rare condition?

Collection:
Health Policy and Services Research
Series Title(s):
Pennsylvania patient safety advisory
Contributor(s):
Pennsylvania. Patient Safety Authority.
ECRI (Organization)
Institute for Safe Medication Practices.
Publication:
[Harrisburg, Pa.] : Pennsylvania Patient Safety Authority, c2008
Language(s):
English
Format:
Text
Subject(s):
Dantrolene -- therapeutic use
Malignant Hyperthermia -- therapy
Muscle Relaxants, Central -- therapeutic use
Pennsylvania
United States
Genre(s):
Technical Report
Abstract:
Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is an inherited hypermetabolic disorder of skeletal muscle, triggered by potent inhalational anesthetic agents. It is estimated to occur between 1:10,000 and 1:150,000 adult patients receiving a general anesthetic. While its occurrence is rare, development of MH may be sudden and dramatic with rapid progression of symptoms resulting in death. Manifestations of this disorder can occur without a family history or previous problem with anesthesia. Since June 2004, PA-PSRS has received 15 reports related to MH, including one case that resulted in patient death. Prompt identification and treatment are essential to minimize the possibility of harm or a fatal outcome. Awareness of the broad spectrum of clinical manifestations that present early and/or late during administration of anesthesia is vital for healthcare providers to promptly initiate treatment of malignant hyperthermia. Clinical signs and symptoms may include tachycardia, increased temperature, and sweating. Prompt treatment is necessary to halt the rapid progression of this disorder. The focus for healthcare providers is availability, access, and administrations of dantrolene sodium, the medication of choice in the treatment of malignant hyperthermia.
Copyright:
Reproduced with permission of the copyright holder. Further use of the material is subject to CC BY-NC-DC license. (More information)
NLM Unique ID:
101570152 (See catalog record)
Permanent Link:
http://resource.nlm.nih.gov/101570152