Sensitivity of the adenine nucleotide metabolism of platelets from malignant hyperthermia patients to halothane.

Blood platelets from malignant hyperthermia patients share the same defect as skeletal muscle. This could be verified by the effect of halothane on the energy metabolism of blood platelets under optimal experimental conditions. The sensitivity of changes in adenine nucleotide metabolization to halothane was significantly higher in platelets from malignant hyperthermia patients than in controls. The enhanced sensitivity is not caused by an adenylate kinase deficiency.