Malignant Hyperthermia Case Study in Pharmacology: Patient Analysis

This case study delves into the intricacies of malignant hyperthermia, a severe condition triggered by certain anesthetic agents or genetic predispositions. The study explores the physiological mechanisms, including the release of calcium ions leading to muscle contractions and metabolic acidosis. It highlights the life-threatening nature of the condition, detailing symptoms like muscle rigidity, tachycardia, and unstable blood pressure. The case study includes a real-world patient experience, showcasing the challenges faced by an individual with a family history of malignant hyperthermia, his symptoms (headaches, fatigue, muscle aches, and memory loss), and the treatments he has undergone (dantrolene and azumolene). The study emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis, genetic testing, and the role of medications in managing the condition, while also touching on the financial and emotional burdens associated with it. The reference section includes sources such as 'Focus on Pharmacology: Essentials for Health Professionals' by Moini and a study on skeletal muscle metabolic dysfunction in patients with malignant hyperthermia susceptibility by Thompson et al.

Running head: PHARMACOLOGY 1
Pharmacology
Name
Institution

PHARMACOLOGY 2
Dangers of Malignant Hyperthermia, chapter 19
Malignant hyperthermia is a kind of severe reactions which happen particularly to
medications used at the time application of general anesthesia. In chapter 19, this kind of
condition is usually caused by the use of some kinds of volatile anesthetic agents or even
succinylcholine for individuals who are prone to it. However, the vulnerability can happen due to
genetic mutations and it is also inherited from parents. In addition, the condition can happen as a
new gene makeup or linked with a number of muscles diseases which are inherited (Moini,
2017). The condition triggers the release of calcium ions in muscle cells thus leading to increase
in calcium levels which latter cause the muscle fibers to contract. Excessive heat is caused
resulting in metabolic acidosis. The disease is a life-threatening thus causing muscle rigidity
which affects walking by patients. It also leads to unexplained tachycardia, cyanosis, and
unstable blood pressure. The symptoms of MH are severe and recovery needs medical
interventions such as induced coma, intubation, and paralysis (Moini, 2017). Even though MH
can be intervened at early stages, the condition can be life-threatening. When complications
develop, it can result in brain damage, cardiac arrest, muscle damage, internal bleeding, liver or
kidney failure and it can result in death (Moini, 2017). It is therefore important to get tested if
any member of a family has undergone symptoms such symptoms. The doctor can assist to
manage the condition to prevent any kind of medications which can induce malignant
hypoesthesia.
The experience with malignant hyperthermia is one of the dreadful conditions which
affected one of my neighbor Ben. His mother had been earlier diagnosed with MH and he used to

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be living in fear because he knew that the condition is inherited. Since the day he was diagnosed
with, he had a continuous headache with the main part of a headache being the right side of the
head. He usually feels tired and weak from time to time and he usually visits doctors. Ben
complains of muscle aches in his body, hands tingling and sometimes weakness and numbness in
legs (Thompson et al., 2017). Furthermore, ben has been complaining of memory loss and
numbness across face and back. Ben had been waiting to get an appointment with a neurologist
but due to funds, he has been going through lots of pain and distress. However, he has been
undergoing hyper-catabolic heart rate which is associated with increased heart rate, high
temperatures, and abnormal breathing. These conditions have caused him uncomfortable thus
making him worry a lot about his condition. However, Ben has not been able to do his normal
duties and all his sources of revenue have been paralyzed due to lots of bills spend in hospital.
Despite the fact that Ben has been using dantrolene, he has lost faith in the drug because it does
not offer a long lasting solution to his problem. He was recommended for azumolene by his
doctor and he later realized that the drug is better but much expensive. His condition improved
and he could perform some chores.

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Reference
Moini, J. (2017). Focus on Pharmacology: Essentials for Health Professionals. Pearson.
Thompson, S. J., Riazi, S., Kraeva, N., Noseworthy, M. D., Rayner, T. E., Schneiderman, J. E.,
& Wells, G. D. (2017). Skeletal Muscle Metabolic Dysfunction in Patients With
Malignant Hyperthermia Susceptibility. Anesthesia & Analgesia, 125(2), 434-441.