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| Alternative Names: | Hyperthermia - malignant; Hyperpyrexia - malignant
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| Treatment: | The best course of action for this condition is prevention. If a general anesthetic is to be given, pretreatment with dantrolene sodium is recommended. If you have a family history of anesthesia-induced problems it is imperative to alert your surgeon and anesthesiologist.
For an episode of malignant hyperthermia, antipyretics (fever-reducing medications such as acetaminophen) and a cooling blanket can help reduce acute fever.
Intravenous and oral fluids as well as certain medications are essential for maintaining kidney function during an acute episode.
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| Expectations (prognosis): | Episodes of the disorder can often be prevented. Repeated episodes or untreated episodes can cause kidney failure. Untreated episodes can be fatal. Fortunately, the use of the drug dantrolene has made fatalities much less common.
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| Complications: | - Rhabdomyolysis, a kidney injury caused by excess myoglobin
- Renal failure
- Myopathy (weak muscles) or muscular dystrophy
- Death
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| Calling your health care provider: | If you know that you or a member of your family has had problems with general anesthesia, or if you know you have a family history of malignant hyperthermia, be sure to notify both the surgeon and the anesthesiologist before having any surgery.
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Review Date: 8/19/2003
Reviewed By: Douglas R. Stewart, M.D., Division of Medical Genetics, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2003 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
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