[Transient normalisation of CK blood levels in patients susceptible to malignant hyperthermia by oral administration of dantrolene (author's transl)].

Five subjects, all relatives of two patients who suffered from malignant hyperthermia, were tested for blood CK activity before and after a course of dantrolene sodium. (4 mg/kg/day orally for three days.) In all the cases, the CK levels which were significantly elevated prior to the drug administration, dropped to normal values after three days of treatment returning to the original levels after eight days. The effect of the drug is most likely related to a temporary normalisation of muscle metabolism which may prevent the development of malignant hyperthermia in susceptible patients. The blood CK activity can be a valuable indicator in determining the effective dose of dantrolene. Prophylactic drug therapy should be considered even when special anesthesia techniques are used.