Malignant hyperthermia in a liver transplant patient: a case report.

Abstract

Malignant hyperthermia is an autosomal dominant disorder with incomplete penetrance and variable expression. This syndrome is characterized by a hypermetabolic response to all commonly used inhalational anesthetics and depolarizing muscle relaxants. It can happen during or after the anesthesia. We describe a case of malignant hyperthermia during orthotopic liver transplantation. Our patient was a 48-year-old man, born in Brazil but with European ascendance, who developed malignant hyperthermia associated with the use of isoflurane. He was treated with dantrolene, which caused hepatic graft dysfunction. It is important that transplant teams be able to recognize and treat this complication.

• Authors: C R Fernandes, D M Azevedo, J M Gomes, B P Gonçalves, G R Coelho, J B Vasconcelos, J H Garcia
• Journal: Transplantation proceedings (Transplant Proc) Vol. 39 Issue 10 Pg. 3530-2 (Dec 2007) ISSN: 0041-1345 [Print] United States
• PMID: 18089429 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Anesthetics, Inhalation
• Muscle Relaxants, Central
• Isoflurane
• Dantrolene
• Bilirubin

Topics

• Anesthetics, Inhalation (adverse effects)
• Bilirubin (blood)
• Dantrolene (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Intraoperative Complications (chemically induced, drug therapy)
• Isoflurane (adverse effects)
• Liver Transplantation (adverse effects)
• Male
• Malignant Hyperthermia (drug therapy, etiology)
• Middle Aged
• Muscle Relaxants, Central (therapeutic use)
• Treatment Outcome