malignant hyperthermia

Life-threatening drug reaction
Etiology Causative drugs: suxamethonium, sevoflurane...
Epidemiology 1:15000 in children; 1:50000 in adults
Clinical presentation Unexplained increase in ETCO2 AND tachycardia AND increased oxygen consumption
Perioperative hyperthermia - LATE sign
Pathogenesis Uncontrolled Ca release from sarcoplasmic reticulum due to genetic defect
Management Paraphrased from QRH - in order of importance
1. Stop surgery, note time
2. Get help and get cardiac arrest trolley + dantrolene box
3. A-E resuscitation, addressing the hypermetabolic state
4. Eliminate potential triggers
1. Turn off vaporisers and remove from anaesthesia workstation
2. Set fresh gas flow to 100% oxygen, maximum flow
3. Hyperventilate (2-3 x normal minute ventilation)
4. Place activated charcoal filters on both limbs of the breathing circuit
5. Change soda lime and breathing circuit if/when feasible (not a priority)
5. Dantrolene (muscle relaxant binding to ryanodine receptor)
1. which will need a whole army to make up and draw up
2. 2-3 mg.kg-1 immediate i.v. bolus (Adult approx. 200 mg)
3. Repeat 1 mg.kg-1 every 5 mins, until ETCO2 <6 kPa and temp <38.5C
4. Pause and observe
5. Repeat 1 mg.kg-1 to maintain ETCO2 <6 kPa and temp <38.5C, even if exceeds 10mg/kg dose
6. Active cooling
1. Stop active warming (duh)
2. Ice to axilla and groin (no evaporative cooling?)
3. Cold IV fluids, peritoneal lavage
7. Additional monitoring- invasive BP, core + peripheral temp
8. Initial investigations: arterial blood gases, U&E, glucose, FBC, coagulation, urinary pH, creatine kinase (peak 12-24h)
9. Off to ICU
1. Avoid CCBs - interaction with dantrolene
10. Reporting:
1. Emergency hotline 07947 609601 or 0113 243 3144
2. UK MH Registry website: www.ukmhr.ac.uk