Malignant Hyperthermia is a biochemical chain reaction response, “triggered” by commonly used general anesthetics and the paralyzing agent succinylcholine (a neuromuscular blocker), within the skeletal muscles of susceptible individuals. The general signs of Malignant Hyperthermia include increased heart rate, increased body metabolism, muscle rigidity and/or fever that may exceed 110 degrees F along with muscle breakdown, derangements of body chemicals and increased acid content in the blood. Severe complications include: cardiac arrest, brain damage, internal bleeding or failure of other body systems. Thus, death, primarily due to a secondary cardiovascular collapse, can result.
Malignant Hyperthermia is a dominate gene and is passed down from generation to generation. A patient containing Malignant Hyperthermia has over a 50% chance of passing to their children.
You can test for Malignant Hyperthermia via DTR Labs Malignant Hyperthermia Genetic Testing. Patients this test is a good fit for are patients with a family history of Malignant Hyperthermia and patients with a history of complications of anesthesia during or after surgery.
Prior to surgery, knowing if an individual has Malignant Hyperthermia can be life saving. The condition can be treated. Every anesthetic must be associated with a plan for treatment of unanticipated Malignant Hyperthermia.
Malignant Hyperthermia is a genetic swab test with an expected turnaround time of two to four weeks from the time the lab receives the sample.
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