Health Encyclopedia

Malignant hyperthermia

Definition

Malignant hyperthermia is an inherited disease that causes a rapid rise in body temperature (fever) and severe muscle contractions when the affected person receives general anesthesia.

This condition is not the same as hyperthermia due to medical emergencies such as heat stroke.

Alternative Names

Hyperthermia - malignant; Hyperpyrexia - malignant

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Malignant hyperthermia is an autosomal dominant trait, meaning it requires only one parent carrying the disease for a child to inherit the condition. It may be associated with muscular diseases such as multiminicore myopathy and central core disease.

One form of malignant hyperthermia is caused by a defect in the ryanodine receptor (RYR1) gene

Symptoms

Malignant hyperthermia is often noted for the first time after a patient is given anesthesia during a surgical procedure.

Symptoms include:

Rapid rise in temperature to 105 degrees F or higher
Muscle rigidity and stiffness
Dark brown urine
Muscle ache without obvious exercise to explain sore muscles

Signs and tests

There may be a family history of malignant hyperthermia or unexplained death during anesthesia.

Tests that may be done include:

Chem-20
Genetic testing to look for defects in the RYR1 gene
Muscle biopsy
Myoglobin in the urine

Treatment

For an episode of malignant hyperthermia, acetaminophen (Tylenol) and a cooling blanket can help reduce fever. The use of a drug called dantrolene during episodes of malignant hyperthermia has greatly reduced the number of deaths.

Fluids given by IV and mouth, as well as certain medications, are essential for maintaining kidney function during an acute episode.

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

Rhabdomyolysis, a kidney injury caused by excess myoglobin
Renal failure
Myopathy (weak muscles) or muscular dystrophy
Death

Calling your health care provider

If you know that you or a member of your family has had problems with general anesthesia, or if you know you have a family history of malignant hyperthermia, be sure to notify both the surgeon and the anesthesiologist before having any surgery.

Prevention

If you or anyone in your family has malignant hyperthermia, it is very important to tell your doctor, especially before having surgery with general anesthesia. The use of appropriate anesthetic medication can prevent the complications of malignant hyperthermia during surgery.

It is important to avoid stimulant drugs such as cocaine, amphetamine (speed) and ecstasy as they may produce malignant hyperthermia-like problems in susceptible individuals.

Genetic counseling is recommended for anyone with a family history of myopathy, muscular dystrophy, or malignant hyperthermia.

References

Marx J. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 5th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2002:2000.

Review Date:7/25/2007
Reviewed By:Chad Haldeman-Englert, MD, Division of Human Genetics, Children's Hospitalof Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed HealthcareNetwork.

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