[Malignant hyperthermia in Austria. III. Anesthesia in susceptible patients]

Anesthesia in patients susceptible to malignant hyperthermia (MH) is generally considered to be very risky, although - with one notable exception - there are no prospective studies about anesthetic management in a large number of such patients. The prophylactic use of dantrolene has been recommended in MH patients, although there is no strong evidence supporting this - despite the fact that dantrolene may have serious side effects. We therefore decided to report the results of our own anesthetic technique for MH patients, as our technique does not include the prophylactic use of dantrolene. From 1981 to 1988, 19 operations on 16 MH-susceptible patients were performed. Patients 1-4 were pediatric survivors of an MH episode, where MH susceptibility was confirmed by muscle biopsy and in vitro contracture tests in at least one parent; patients 5-7 were survivors of an MH crisis, and they later underwent diagnostic muscle biopsies themselves; all other patients (nos. 8-16) were relatives of MH survivors with positive in vitro contracture tests. Diazepam, pentobarbital, pethidine, and chlorprothixene were used for premedication; no prophylactic dantrolene was given. Anesthesia was induced by thiopentone and was continued by nitrous oxide/oxygen, fentanyl, and droperidol; alcuronium, atracurium, and vecuronium were administered as necessary. Pyridostigmine, atropine, and naloxone were used if appropriate. New or disposable tubings were used for ventilation, and the vaporizers were removed from the anesthesia machines. ECG and body temperature were recorded in all patients; blood pressure was monitored invasively if indicated; end tidal CO2 was monitored whenever possible.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)