malignant hyperpyrexia
Last reviewed 06/2021
Malignant hyperpyrexia is a rare condition which can occur after exposure to most general anaesthetic or muscle relaxants, resulting in:
- widespread skeletal muscle rigidity
- hyperpyrexia
- acidosis
On exposure to the initiating agent, there is an acute rise in intracellular calcium which causes rigidity, muscle necrosis and hyperpyrexia with a rate of increase of greater than 2 degrees centrigrade every hour.
Plasma levels of creatine kinase may be extremely high during the acute phase.
Diagnosis is made by in vitro exposure of muscle to halothane or suxamethonium.