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