Malignant hyperthermia is a severe reaction to certain drugs used for anaesthesia.
Without prompt treatment, severe muscle damage or death may occur. However, severe complications from malignant hyperthermia are rare because anaesthetists are trained to recognise and treat this condition.
The Children's Hospital at Westmead's anaesthetic department treats children with malignant hyperthermia.
Family history and muscle disorders
Maligant hyperthermia is a genetic condition of the skeletal muscles. It only occurs when the patient is exposed to commonly used general anaesthetic agents.
Children with a family history of malignant hypothermia or who have had an adverse reaction to general anaesthesia (that is thought to be related to this condition) will be assessed at the clinic.
Some muscle disorders, such as muscular dystrophies or exercise-induced muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis), are also associated with this condition.
Reaction and treatment
The severe reaction typically includes uncontrolled muscle spasms. The reaction is stopped by administering an antidote which prevents absorption of the anaesthesia drugs triggering this response.
Testing
The testing available for malignant hyperthermia is not suitable as a general screening test for people without a history of this condition who are about to undergo anaesthesia and surgery.
Severe complications from malignant hyperthermia are now rare because anaesthetists are trained to recognise and treat this condition.