Malignant Hyperthermia Crisis and Benefits of Vapor-Clean Filters
Malignant hyperthermia is considered the scourge of modern anesthesia. This rare and dangerous incident requires rapid and concerted action from all operating room personnel. By equipping anesthesia machines with the new Vapor-Clean activated carbon filter system, the circuit purge time is limited to a few seconds. This considerable time saving allows for immediate application of the appropriate treatment to the patient and significantly increases the survival rate from the incident.
Disease detection
The first international symposium on malignant hyperthermia crisis was held in Toronto in 1971. From that date on, anesthesiologists clearly identified the greatest risk of their work. The first known case of a fatal malignant hyperthermia crisis was reported by the journal Anæsthesia in 1915. The anesthetic agent was chloroform. Subsequently, several deaths due to this reaction were recorded. In developed countries, the incidence of this pharmacogenetic disease is estimated at 1 in 250,000, and the death rate for patients who trigger the disease is around 5%.
Malignant hyperthermia crisis is a paroxysmal hypermetabolic reaction of striated skeletal muscle. The suggestive signs are multiple, the main ones being a sudden rise in expired carbon dioxide levels and muscle rigidity. Although not specific to malignant hyperthermia crisis, arrhythmia and cyanosis are also symptoms.
Treatment of malignant hyperthermia crisis.
The rapid detection of signs suggestive of malignant hyperthermia crisis and the immediate implementation of emergency treatment have made it possible to reduce the death rate associated with the disease.
Vapor-Clean activated carbon filters provide an ideal solution. By installing this device on the anesthesia machine, it takes only 90 seconds to purge the circuit. The patient's exposure to anesthetic particles is then less than 5 ppm and dantrolene administration can begin immediately. This eliminates the need for healthcare staff to waste time replacing the anesthesia machine or switching to manual ventilation. The Vapor-Clean was extensively tested before its commercialization and the device was presented and recognized by the MHAUS (Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States).
