title: Suspected Malignant Hyperthermia in the Setting of Hypothermic Circulatory Arrest for Type A Aortic Dissection Repair: A Case Report.
abstract: Malignant Hyperthermia (MH) is a life-threatening biochemical process of hypermetabolism brought about in susceptible individuals by a triggering drug or event. Type A aortic dissections are surgical emergencies requiring cardiopulmonary bypass and frequently deep hypothermic circulatory arrest. We present a case of suspected MH in a patient undergoing emergent repair of a type A aortic dissection. Upon arrival at our institution, the patient had multiple signs of MH. However, no known triggering agent had been administered. Eventually, the unique physiologic changes of cardiopulmonary bypass provided strong support for the diagnosis of MH and dantrolene was administered, effectively treating the episode.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Anesthesiology, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: Bryant
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bunting
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Knight
authors.forename: Stephen M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: McHugh
mesh_terms: D000784:Aortic Dissection / Q000601:surgery*; D001014:Aortic Aneurysm / Q000601:surgery*; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass / Q000379:methods; D050792:Circulatory Arrest, Deep Hypothermia Induced / Q000379:methods; D003620:Dantrolene / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008305:Malignant Hyperthermia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009467:Neuromuscular Depolarizing Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D057234:Preoperative Period; D013390:Succinylcholine / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D009125:Muscle Relaxants, Central; D009467:Neuromuscular Depolarizing Agents; D003620:Dantrolene; D013390:Succinylcholine