Malignant hyperthermia. Quick recognition and treatment to avoid death.

Malignant hyperthermia, a disorder of uncertain genetic transmission related to use of certain anesthetics and muscle relaxants, is uncommon and potentially fatal. It has been most commonly linked to succinylcholine chloride (Anectine, Quelicin, Sucostrin) and halothane (Fluothane). The most important treatment method, after discontinuation of the triggering agent(s), is immediate administration of dantrolene sodium (Dantrium). Diagnostic testing of susceptibility is available but has significant limitations. If the new phosphorus nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy proves to be an accurate test for susceptibility and becomes more readily available, decreases in the current case-fatality rate of 10% may follow.