View source for Malignant Hyperthermia

About 1 in 52,000 adults suffer from '''malignant hyperthermia''', a hypermetabolic crisis that can be triggered by [[Anesthetics|anesthetics]] or stress. More males are affected than females. The exact cause of malignant hyperthermia is unclear (it's at least partially genetic), but it is set in motion by general anesthetic agents. [[Lidocaine]] does not cause this, but most forms of general agents can, most notably [[Halothane|halothane]] and succinylcholine, a muscle relaxant often used in conjunction with anesthesia. Death rates from malignant hyperthermia are between 60 and 80 percent depending on how soon it's noticed.