Authors

G Kennedy¹; E Carton¹; B Henrick¹;  ¹ Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Ireland

Objective

Malignant Hyperthermia (MH) can be classified as a hypermetabolic crisis triggered when susceptible individuals are exposed to volatile anaesthetic agents or depolarising muscle relaxants. MH is rare and potentially life-threatening

Method

Early recognition and immediate treatment is crucial for good prognosis, and, although considered to be a low-frequency, high-risk situation, with current treatments, mortality is less than 5%.

Results

We report a rare, delayed intraoperative presentation of MH during an elective spinal procedure. Despite the use of conventional treatments, including dantrolene, the patient continued to deteriorate and eventually suffered cardiac arrest.

Conclusion

The patient was resuscitated with the help of V-A ECLS, corrective treatments were continued and the patient eventually made a full recovery.
1. Rosenberg H, Davis M, James D, Pollock N, Stowell K. Malignant hyperthermia. Orphanet Journal of Rare Diseases. 2007 2(21)