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It is very common to think about the Malignant Hyperthermia (MH) syndrome as a problem related to anesthesia exclusively. Indeed most of the concerns about MH since its first descriptions in the 1960s centered on the unexpected and often disastrous changes that can occur during the administration of general anesthesia to an otherwise healthy individual.

These direct and apparently straightforward questions have been posed for as many years as I have been involved in the study of MH.  If one checks the medical literature, the incidence of MH events ranges from one in 5,000 to one in 100,000 anesthetics.   That is quite a wide range.  In addition, how many people are at risk for MH is also unclear?

These direct and apparently straightforward questions have been posed for as many years as I have been involved in the study of MH.  If one checks the medical literature, the incidence of MH events ranges from one in 5,000 to one in 100,000 anesthetics.   That is quite a wide range.  In addition, how many people are at risk for MH is also unclear?

As all of you who are reading this know, dantrolene sodium is THE drug to treat malignant hyperthermia.  There are some important and interesting changes and insights developing with this drug that I would like to explore with you.

The term Malignant Hyperthermia is most often applied to the syndrome that was first described in 1961 as a fatal reaction to general anesthesia. MH is the specific name given to the inherited disorder that leads individuals to develop a hypermetabolic reaction to certain general anesthetics and succinylcholine. And yes, a few individuals at risk for MH also experience problems resembling the MH syndrome with certain environmental stressors, such as heat and exercise. An MH reaction is terminated by the administration of dantrolene - a specific antidote for the MH reaction.

The death of Stephanie Kuleba from MH in March, 2008 during cosmetic surgery in an office-based operating room was a striking reminder that MH may occur wherever anesthesia is administered.  This event has caused anguish, pain and grief for the family and friends of this young woman as well as the providers of care.  This post also available via the President's Blog Podcast.

At the end of May many of the world's researchers and experts in the study of MH will gather in Lund, Sweden as part of the annual European MH Group meeting (see their web site at www.EMHG.org). The meeting will last three days and consist of updates and laboratory and clinical research and prospects for the future regarding MH.

This reminds me that MH is indeed an international problem and not limited to specific ethnic or religious groups. Wherever MH has been looked for, it has been found.

This post also available via the President's Blog Podcast.

At the end of May many of the world's researchers and experts in the study of MH will gather in Lund, Sweden as part of the annual European MH Group meeting (see their web site at www.EMHG.org). The meeting will last three days and consist of updates and laboratory and clinical research and prospects for the future regarding MH.

This reminds me that MH is indeed an international problem and not limited to specific ethnic or religious groups. Wherever MH has been looked for, it has been found.

This post also available via the President's Blog Podcast.

MH was first formally described in 1960 by physicians in Australia, including an anesthesiologist and a geneticist (Michael Denborough).  In recent years there has been greater and greater interest in MH by the medical community in general as well as basic scientists. The reasons for this are many, including the recognition that certain disorders of muscle predispose patients to MH, the concern that some MH patients may have muscle related problems without anesthesia, but one of the most important reasons is the growing interest in the subject of pharmacogenetics. 

My first post to the MHAUS President's Blog.  Come learn the basics of who and what MHAUS is. 

This post also available via the President's Blog Podcast.