Anesth Pain Med.  2011 Oct;6(4):372-379.

Survey of malignant hyperthermia in Korea: Report for the necessity of establishing the center for caffeine and halothane contracture test in Korea: a questionnaire

• Choi YJ
• Yang HS
• Kim HJ
• Lee YK
• Choi WJ
• Ro YJ

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Malignant hyperthermia (MH) has a high mortality rate and a family history. Then, caffeine and halothane contracture test (CHCT), generally used to detect MH susceptibility, is needed for early detection. The aim of this survey is to collect the opinion about establishment of the center for CHCT in Korea.
METHODS
A people who were anesthesiologists working in the training hospital of Korea participated the survey between January and March 2011. Usual anesthetic drug during general anesthesia including volatile agents, opioids, muscle relaxants, incidence, diagnoses and treatments of MH, and opinion about establishment of the center for CHCT, were investigated.
RESULTS
A total of 105 people who were anesthesiologists working in Korea were registered, they answered that 33 anesthesiologists (32%) met MH patient, and MH occurred once in a decade. If there is a diagnostic method such as CHCT in Korea, 89 anesthesiologists (89%) will recommend the test for the patients and their family.
CONCLUSIONS
Many anesthesiologists want to recommend the CHCT for patients and their family. But, in Korea, it is impossible because there is no laboratory available for CHCT. Now, we considered carefully to establish the laboratory available for CHCT.

Keyword

Caffeine and halothane contracture test; Malignant hyperthermia

MeSH Terms

Analgesics, Opioid
Anesthesia, General
Caffeine
Contracture
Halothane
Humans
Incidence
Korea
Malignant Hyperthermia
Muscles
Surveys and Questionnaires
Analgesics, Opioid
Caffeine
Halothane