The screening of atracurium in MHS swine.

The potential role of atracurium besylate as a trigger or attenuator of the malignant hyperthermia syndrome was tested in six MHS Landrace swine. Animals were tested for susceptibility and then exposed to atracurium given as an i.v. bolus both alone and concomitantly with 2% halothane. In no instance could the syndrome be triggered by atracurium nor did it convincingly attenuate the syndrome when triggered by halothane.