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S U P P L E M E N T T O O U T P AT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E | O C T O B E R 2 0 1 4
Malignant hyperthermia may be triggered by __________.
a.
pancuronium
c.
fentanyl
b.
succinylcholine
d.
sodium pentothal
Answer
: b
If a patient is susceptible to MH — the disorder is inherited, so individuals with
relatives who've suffered an MH attack are at heightened risk — you must take
certain precautions. Avoid the several known triggering agents for MH, including
succinylcholine and volatile inhalation agents halothane, enflurane, isoflurane,
sevoflurane and desflurane. The "safe" agents that you can give to a susceptible
patient include non-volatile inhalation agents like nitrous oxide, opioids and local
anesthetics. However, it's important to know that MH can strike at any time in
any patient, even those who received anesthesia without incident in the past.
The most reliable laboratory test for
pre-operative detection of MH is _________.
a.
creatine phosphokinase
b.
cardiac enzymes
c.
serum electrolytes
d.
caffeine-halothane contracture
Answer
: d
The caffeine-halothane contracture test is considered the most reliable test for
pre-operative diagnosis of MH. Unfortunately, only a few hospitals in the United
States and Canada can perform this test. If patients are identified as susceptible
to MH, they must be referred to one of these specialized testing centers because
the caffeine-halothane contracture test requires a live muscle biopsy.
M A L I G N A N T H Y P E R T H E R M I A
