MH is a rare, inherited syndrome that can affect patients who are receiving anesthesia for surgery or other procedures. It presents suddenly as an extreme metabolic reaction to various anesthetic gases and drugs. The signs of MH include muscle rigidity, rapid heart rate, high body temperature, muscle breakdown and increased acid content. Early recognition of an impending MH crisis and prompt emergency response are critical for a patient鈥檚 survival.
鈥淎s an anesthesia or healthcare provider, knowing about MH is important to saving the lives of our patients,鈥� said Merritt, who is a member of the MHAUS Board of Directors. 鈥淢H raises many questions for patients and their families, so it鈥檚 important for anesthesia professionals to be knowledgeable about the syndrome and be able to serve as a resource. Patient safety has always been the first priority for CRNAs.鈥�
During the preanesthesia patient assessment and evaluation, an MH screening can aid in determining a patient鈥檚 risk for MH. If a patient is confirmed as MH-susceptible or has a family history of MH, proper anesthesia precautions must be taken throughout the anesthesia process, which includes induction, airway management, and emergence. These precautions include avoiding the use of volatile, MH-triggering anesthetic gases such as desflurane, enflurane, halothane, and sevoflurane, and the muscle relaxant succinylcholine. In addition, an activated charcoal filter should be used with the anesthesia machine.
In April 2015, the AANA Board of Directors adopted the position statement titled Malignant Hyperthermia Crisis Preparedness and Treatment, which contains the AANA鈥檚 position on stocking dantrolene and considerations for MH policy development. Dantrolene is currently the only clinically accepted drug treatment for MH and is available in two formulations.
MH is an uncommon, potentially fatal condition. Anesthesia professionals may be the first to recognize the onset of an MH crisis, but a coordinated team response is vital in the effective treatment and management of MH. For emergencies only, call the MHAUS 24-hour MH Hotline at 1-800-644-9737.
For detailed information on MH crisis preparation, patient assessment, management, and transfer of care visit and the AANA鈥檚 MH clinical resource webpage at to access the position statement, articles, and other resources.
About the American Association of Nurse AnesthetistsFounded in 1931 and located in Park Ridge, Ill., the AANA is the professional organization for more than 49,000 nurse anesthetists across the United States. As anesthesia specialists, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) safely provide approximately 40 million anesthetics to patients each year for surgical, obstetrical, pain management, and trauma stabilization services. CRNAs deliver essential healthcare in thousands of communities and are able to prevent gaps in access to anesthesia services, especially in rural, inner-city, and other medically underserved areas of the country. They are highly valued in today鈥檚 healthcare environment because they deliver the same safe, high-quality anesthesia care as other anesthesia professionals but at a lower cost, helping to control rising healthcare costs. Additional information about the AANA and CRNAs is available at and http://www.aana.com/future-today.
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