Malignant hyperthermia

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Hyperthermia - malignant; Hyperpyrexia - malignant

During an episode of malignant hyperthermia, wrapping the patient in a cooling blanket can help reduce fever and the risk of serious complications. Drugs such as dantrolene, lidocaine, or a beta-blocker drug can help with heart rhythm problems.

To preserve kidney function during an episode, you must get fluids through a vein and by mouth, as well as certain medications.

Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States - www.mhaus.org

Repeated episodes or untreated episodes can cause kidney failure. Untreated episodes can be fatal.

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• Amputation
• Breakdown of muscle tissue (rhabdomyolysis)
• Compartment syndrome (swelling of the hands and feet and problems with blood flow and nerve function)
• Death
• Disseminating intravascular coagulation (abnormal blood clotting and bleeding)
• Heart rhythm problems
• Kidney failure
• Metabolic acidosis
• Respiratory dysfunction (fluid buildup in the lungs)
• Weak muscles (myopathy) or muscular dystrophy (deformity)

Tell both the surgeon and anesthesiologist before having any surgery if:

• You know that you or a member of your family has had problems with general anesthesia
• You know you have a family history of malignant hyperthermia

Review Date: 04/01/2011
Reviewed By: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).