Cytosolic free calcium concentrations in lymphocytes from malignant hyperthermia susceptible patients.

Halothane in concentrations exceeding 1.2 mmol litre-1 increased (P less than 0.05) the apparent intracellular concentration of calcium in lymphocytes from 12 patients being tested for susceptibility to malignant hyperthermia (MH) using the fluorescent Ca2+ indicator, fura2. There was no difference in [Ca2+]i between lymphocytes from patients found to be MH susceptible (n = 5) on in vitro contracture testing with halothane and caffeine and those from MH negative patients (n = 6). Thus determination of [Ca2+]i in lymphocytes after exposure to halothane could not be used as a diagnostic test for MH susceptibility.