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Malignant hyperthermia - Treatment

Alternative Names

Hyperthermia - malignant; Hyperpyrexia - malignant

Treatment:

During an episode of malignant hyperthermia, wrapping the patient in a cooling blanket can help reduce fever and the risk of serious complications. Drugs such as dantrolene, lidocaine, or a beta-blocker drug can help with heart rhythm problems.

To preserve kidney function during an episode, you must get fluids through a vein and by mouth, as well as certain medications.

Support Groups:

Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States - www.mhaus.org

Expectations (prognosis):

Repeated episodes or untreated episodes can cause kidney failure. Untreated episodes can be fatal.

Complications:

  • Amputation
  • Breakdown of muscle tissue (rhabdomyolysis)
  • Compartment syndrome (swelling of the hands and feet and problems with blood flow and nerve function)
  • Death
  • Disseminating intravascular coagulation (abnormal blood clotting and bleeding)
  • Heart rhythm problems
  • Kidney failure
  • Metabolic acidosis
  • Respiratory dysfunction (fluid buildup in the lungs)
  • Weak muscles (myopathy) or muscular dystrophy (deformity)

Calling your health care provider:

Tell both the surgeon and anesthesiologist before having any surgery if:

  • You know that you or a member of your family has had problems with general anesthesia
  • You know you have a family history of malignant hyperthermia
  • Reviewed last on: 4/1/2011
  • Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Vicario S. Heat illness. In: Marx J, ed. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 6th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2006:chap 139.

Dinarello CA, Porat R. Fever and hyperthermia. In: Fauci A, Kasper D, Longo DL, et al, eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. [online version]. New York, NY:McGraw Hill;2008:chap 17.

Schmidt EW, Nichols CG. Heart-related illness. In: Wolfson AB, Hendey GW, Ling LJ, et al, eds. Harwood-Nuss' Clinical Practice of Emergency Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2009:chap 346.

Steele MT. Rhabdomyolysis. In: Wolfson AB, Hendey GW, Ling LJ, et al, eds. Harwood-Nuss' Clinical Practice of Emergency Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2009:chap 211.

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The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
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