Malignant hyperthermia is a potentially fatal hypermetabolic syndrome characterised by hyperpyrexia ad skeletal muscle rigidity.
It can be induced by all of the currently used inhalation anesthetics or by injection of succinylcholine.
A case of malignant hyperthermia was experienced which developed 80 minute after induction of general anesthesia with thiopental sodium, succinylcholine, halothane, N2O and O2.
One and half hours after induction, arrhythmia developed and was followed by unstable blood pressure, hyperpyrexia and muscle rigidity.
Anesthesia was terminated and vigorous emergency treatment and dantrolene were administered.
The patient recovered normal body temperature and consciousness, but expired about 4 days after induction because of late complication including disseminated intravascular coaggulation.
The etiologic factor, clinical feature, treatment and prevention of Malignant hyperthermia are discussed.
|