title: The effect of succinylcholine on malignant hyperthermia events in susceptible swine.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  While the impact of volatile anaesthetics to induce malignant hyperthermia (MH) is abundantly clear, the role of succinylcholine still remains controversial. To evaluate the influence of succinylcholine on porcine MH events, the authors investigated the hemodynamic and metabolic responses in MH susceptible (MHS) and non-susceptible (MHN) swine following either succinylcholine or halothane application alone or a combination of both substances.
  
  
  METHODS
  With approval of the local animal care committee 27 MHS and 30 MHN pigs were anaesthetized and mechanically ventilated. Fiberoptic probes for continuous PCO2 measurement were inserted into the femoral vein and the triceps muscle. Group A received succinylcholine 4 mg/kg, group B incremental doses of halothane (0.5, 1.0 vol%) and group C succinylcholine and halothane simultaneously. Vital signs were recorded continuously.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prior to drug application measured values did not differ between MHS and MHN. While MHN pigs did not show relevant alterations, succinylcholine, halothane and the combination of both lead to significant hemodynamic and metabolic changes in MHS swine.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Hemodynamic and metabolic alterations following succinylcholine were similar to halothane in MHS pigs. The combination of both pharmacological agents potentiated the observed effects. According to these results succinylcholine acted as an independent and supportive factor during onset of an MH episode.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care, University of Wuerzburg, Oberduerrbacher Straße 6, D-97080 Wuerzburg, Germany. schuster_f@ukw.de.
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schuster
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Johannsen
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Moegele
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Metterlein
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Roewer
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Anetseder
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001784:Blood Gas Analysis / Q000379:methods; D001785:Blood Gas Monitoring, Transcutaneous / Q000379:methods; D006221:Halothane / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity; D006439:Hemodynamics / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D008305:Malignant Hyperthermia / Q000097:blood* / Q000473:pathology*; D013390:Succinylcholine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000633:toxicity*; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D013390:Succinylcholine; D006221:Halothane