Understanding Malignant Hyperthermia and the Role of Dantrium
Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a pharmacogenetic disorder of the skeletal muscles , which is triggered by specific medications. MH becomes apparent when a susceptible individual is exposed to certain types of anesthesia , especially potent halogenated inhaled anesthetics or the muscle relaxant succinylcholine. 1 What triggers malignant hyperthermia? In most cases, MH is triggered during or after the administration of general anesthesia . Common anesthetic agents associated with MH include isoflurane, sevoflurane, desflurane, and halothane, along with the muscle relaxant succinylcholine. 1 Once exposed, individuals who are genetically susceptible may experience a cascade of symptoms known as "MH crisis" due to uncontrolled calcium release within muscle cells . 2 Interestingly, though rare, MH can also be triggered by other non-pharmacological stressors such as extreme heat exposure or strenuous physical exertion. 1 This highlights the importance of genet...