Metabolic changes in a case of malignant hyperthermia.

A patient with fulminant MH is presented. The metabolic changes in muscle tissue, whole blood and plasma are compared with those obtained from the porcine model. The samples were taken 1 h after treatment (including dantrolene sodium) had been commenced. Increased concentrations of lactate, pyruvate and citrate were found in muscle, whereas the concentrations of potassium, free inorganic phosphate and glycogen were reduced. The ATP, ADP and phosphoryl creatine concentrations remained unchanged. In blood, increased concentrations of alanine, lactate and glycerol were observed. An increase in carbon dioxide production was found. These changes are similar to those found in the porcine model.