[Preoperative assay of creatine phosphokinase as a precaution against malignant hyperthermia (author's transl)]

Following a synthetic description of malignant postoperative hyperthermia, the author recommends the inclusion of serum creatine phosphokinase (CPK) assay in the list of preoperative laboratory tests for all patients scheduled for major surgery. Because this serum enzyme is most often altered in candidates to malignant hyperthermia, the author advocates its preoperative testing in order to identify such patients and make adequate preparations to meet the emergency if its arises.