MH Outside the Operating Room

While most cases of MH occur during general anesthesia, the 2.5 hrs period immediately following surgery (including the recovery room) is also a critical time. In addition, MH can occur if trigger a anesthethics and/or succinylcholine are used in any location, such as emergency rooms, dental surgeries, surgeon’s offices or intensive care units.

CAN ANYTHING OTHER THAT ANESTHETIC DRUGS TRIGGER MH?

Only the anesthetic drugs already mentioned usually trigger MH. Studies have shown that a small percent of people who develop muscle breakdown following exercise only, or after heat stroke, harbor the genetic changes associated with MH susceptibility. It is still unclear if the muscle breakdown and other changes result from these non-anesthetic incidences. Generally, we advise MHS patients to lead normal lives other than when anesthesia is required.