Abstract

No abstract: first paragraph: Malignant hyperthermia is a relatively rare pharmacogenetic disorder inherited in an autosomal dominant fashion1. It is triggered in previously healthy susceptible individuals by exposure to potent inhalational anaesthetic agents and the muscle relaxant suxamethonium (succinylcholine). The clinical features of a malignant hyperthermia reaction have many similarities to those of heat illness2. These include a mixed respiratory and metabolic acidosis, tachycardia, rhabdomyolysis and muscle rigidity with progressive hyperthermia. The condition acquired its name because of the high mortality of the early cases.