Effect of propofol on the malignant hyperthermia susceptible pig model

Anaesthetic techniques for malignant hyperthermia susceptible (MHS) patients should include drugs which do not trigger MH and provide stress free conditions. Thus all new drugs should be screened for their susceptibility to trigger MH. We have screened propofol, using the MHS pig model. In none of the animals exposed to propofol, were there signs of MH, even after challenge with suxamethonium. However, the same animals developed MH when exposed to halothane alone or with suxamethonium. Despite the problems of extrapolating from this study to man, it is unlikely that propofol may trigger an episode of MH.