Page 23
E M E R G E N C Y
R E S P O N S E
important to take the early warning signs seriously to ensure interventions start as quickly as possible.
-------------------
DOWN THE LINE Reconstituting dantrolene for
administration demands coordinated efforts and
practice.
--------------------
Let's take a closer look at MH's warning signs and risk factors. One of the earliest warning signs is masseter rigidity, which the anesthesia provider might notice during intubation. Providers must also closely watch for sudden or unusual rises in end tidal CO2 and decreases in arterial O2 levels. They might start to see signs of sinus tachypnea. The patient's core temperature will also start to creep up — as much as 1ºF over a 15-minute period — although this is one of the last indications.
MH can strike patients who've had prior surgery with no adverse reactions to general anesthetics. It's an inherited trait, so patients with family histories of MH are at heightened risk. It's dominant in young men, pediatric patients and individuals with known musculoskeletal disorders such as muscular dystrophy.
Anesthesia providers routinely ask patients if they have a history of adverse reactions to anesthesia, but even individuals who've never experienced such issues aren't necessarily in the clear. When at-risk
patients are identified,
