Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the US

The Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the US seeks to improve knowledge and clinical practice related to the care of patients who are at risk to Malignant Hyperthermia(MH). MH is an autosomally inherited pharmacogenetic disorder of anesthesia. The basic defect is abnormal function of the skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor such that patients exposed to potent gas anesthetics and succinylcholine develop high fever, muscle rigidity, rhabdomyolysis , coagulation disorders and may die. The specific treatment of the crisis entails administration of dantrolene. About 800 cases of MH occur in the US each year, but the gene prevalence is closer to 1/2,000 people. "The mission of MHAUS is to promote optimum care and scientific understanding of MH and related disorders."