Ketamine does not trigger malignant hyperthermia in susceptible swine.
The use of ketamine in individuals susceptible to malignant hyperthermia (MH) is controversial. We describe our experience with ketamine used for induction and/or maintenance of anesthesia in our herd of swine inbred for susceptibility to MH. A total of 76 MH-susceptible swine were given a total of 112 general anesthetics using ketamine as the induction drug. In 34 of these anesthetics, anesthesia was also maintained with ketamine. Signs of MH did not develop in response to ketamine in any of the pigs.
Department of Anaesthesia, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114.
M
M
Dershwitz
F A
FA
Sréter
J F
JF
Ryan
D000818:Animals; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D007649:Ketamine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008305:Malignant Hyperthermia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D013552:Swine
D007649:Ketamine