Canadian journal of surgery. Journal canadien de chirurgie
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Malignant hyperthermia is a potentially fatal genetic myopathy that presents when the patient is under anesthesia. It manifests as a hypermetabolic state involving tachycardia, hypercarbia, base deficit, rigidity and fever. ⋯ Historically, there has been a reluctance in local community hospitals to manage patients known to be susceptible to malignant hyperthemia, and this is a source of frustration for many families in which there is a history of this condition. This article outlines the diagnosis and management of an acute malignant hyperthermic crisis from the viewpoint of a community general surgeon and provides a review of the management of patients known to be susceptible to this condition in the surgeon's elective and emergent practice.