Let's be aware of the dangerous reaction to anesthesia (Malignant Hyperthermia)

Imagine that one of your loved ones is admitted to the hospital for a routine surgery. We all hope that everything will go well. But, after the anesthesia is administered, the body temperature suddenly rises dangerously, the muscles tighten, and the heart rate becomes irregular. This is what we are talking about today, a rare but very dangerous, life-threatening condition called ' malignant hyperthermia '. It is very important to be aware of this.

Simply put, what is Malignant Hyperthermia?

First, let's understand what 'Hyperthermia' is. Hyperthermia is when our body temperature becomes too high and we can't control it. Normally, our body temperature is kept at around 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 Fahrenheit) through processes like sweating . But in hyperthermia, this control is lost and the temperature rises above 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit). This is not a normal fever, it is much more dangerous.

Hyperthermia is usually caused by external factors such as high ambient temperature and dehydration ( lack of water in the body).

But Malignant Hyperthermia (MH) is something different. It occurs when the body reacts abnormally to certain types of anesthetics . These anesthetics are essential for making surgery painless. But in some people, these drugs combine with a genetic defect in the body to cause this dangerous condition.

What causes malignant hyperthermia?

This condition is mainly caused by certain types of anesthetic drugs. Sometimes it can also be caused by excessive exercise or extremely hot environmental conditions. It is called 'Awake Hyperthermia'.

The important thing is that even if someone has taken these drugs without any problems in the past, they could still experience this condition the next time . Therefore, it is very important to be aware of the risks.

Let's look at what the main triggers are that cause this condition.

What are the symptoms of this condition?

These symptoms often appear during or immediately after anesthesia is administered, so doctors and staff in the operating room are very attentive to this.

What is the root cause of malignant hyperthermia?

The main reason for this is a genetic defect . Simply put, there is a defect in the genes that control muscle function in our body. This defect can be inherited from birth, or it can be activated later in life.

Scientists have identified more than 80 genetic defects that cause this condition. It is a condition that can be passed down from generation to generation . This means that if your mother, father, brother or sister have this condition, you are more likely to have it too. Also, men are slightly more likely to develop this condition than women.

Is it possible to know in advance whether this risk exists?

Yes, there are two medical tests to confirm whether this risk exists.

1. Genetic Blood Test: A sample of your blood can be taken and the genes in it can be tested to see if there are any major genetic defects associated with this. However, these tests are not 100% accurate. This is because the condition can also be caused by genetic defects that have not yet been discovered.

2. Muscle Biopsy: This is the most accurate test. In this test, a doctor takes a very small piece of muscle from your leg and tests it in a lab to see how it responds to the drugs that cause MH. This test is not done for everyone. Doctors only order this test if someone in your family has the condition or if you have any suspicious symptoms.

How to treat this condition if it occurs suddenly?

Malignant Hyperthermia is a medical emergency. It means it needs to be treated immediately. If something like this happens in an operating room, the medical team will act immediately.

• The first thing to do is to immediately stop administering the anesthetic that caused the condition .
• Next, a special drug called ` Dantrolene` is injected intravenously. This is the only definitive treatment for MH.
• The patient is wrapped in a cooling blanket to reduce body temperature. Ice packs are also placed on areas such as the armpits and groin.
• Cold saline (cold IV fluids) are given to cool the body.
• The patient is admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) or Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) to monitor their condition very closely.

What should we do to protect ourselves from this risk?

There is no cure for the genetic defect that causes this, so the best thing to do is to manage the risk and prevent an emergency from occurring.

This is the most important thing to remember. When you inform us, the doctors will make sure to use only safe anesthetics that will not cause MH. Therefore, it is very important to be aware of your family medical history.