[Malignant hyperthermia]

Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a life threatening complication following anaesthesia with potent inhalational agents and suxamethonium. The signs of MH are caused by increased metabolism and secondary stimulation of the sympathetic nervous system due to uncontrolled, high intracellular concentrations of calcium in skeletal muscle. The hyperthermia is secondary to the increased energy turnover. Calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum is increased due to a low threshold for release and prolonged opening of the calcium channel upon normal stimulation. The gene encoding the calcium channel is localized on chromosome 19 in humans, and a substitution of cysteine for arginine has recently been described in one family with MH.