Sudden unexplained death in a patient with a family history of malignant hyperthermia.
A 23-year-old healthy white male in excellent physical condition developed cardiac arrest and rigidity during moderate exercise. He had a strong family history of malignant hyperthermia (MH). Two hours postmortem, his temperature was noted to be markedly elevated [41 degrees C (106 degrees F)]. A review of the possible differential diagnoses point to MH as a reasonable etiology.
Ryan
J F
JF
Department of Anesthesia, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston 02114, USA.
Tedeschi
L G
LG
D000328:Adult; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D003645:Death, Sudden; D004562:Electrocardiography; D015444:Exercise; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008305:Malignant Hyperthermia / Q000235:genetics*; D014693:Ventricular Fibrillation / Q000503:physiopathology; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000378:metabolism