Clinical Features of Suspected Malignant Hyperthermia in China from 2015 to 2020: A Retrospective Study from China Malignant Hyperthermia Emergency Assistance Group

Purpose: Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a rare but fatal pharmacogenetic disorder, triggered by inhalational anesthetics or succinylcholine. Since the first nonprofit academic organization China Malignant Hyperthermia Emergency Assistance WeChat-based Group (CMHEA Group) was established in 2015, they have actively participated in the diagnosis and treatment of MH patients. Based on the CMHEA Group, the aim of the study was to retrospectively analyze the characteristics of suspected MH in China from 2015 to 2020. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the suspected MH patients from 2015 to 2020, for analyzing the current clinical diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of MH in China. Results: A total of 58 suspected MH cases occurred from 2015 to 2020, of these, 36 cases were collected with detailed data. The MH clinical grading score of 36 patients ranged from 33 to 73, with a median of 55. Abnormal hyperthermia and hypercarbia were the most common early signs of MH. Four patients were confirmed carrying six different potential MH-causative mutations. Of the total 58 cases, 14 patients (24.1%) received dantrolene and the whole mortality rate was 53.4%. Compared to the patients not receiving dantrolene treatment, the survival rate of patients receiving dantrolene treatment was significantly higher than that of patients not receiving dantrolene (78.6% vs 36.4%, p = 0.007). Conclusion: The current main diagnostic methods of suspected MH in China are still clinical diagnosis. Hence, it is critical to keep dantrolene for immediate accessibility with the introduction of domestic dantrolene to China. The WeChat group model has played an important but limited role in quick diagnosis and treatment of MH.

Automated summary

This study retrospectively analyzed the characteristics of suspected malignant hyperthermia (MH) in China from 2015 to 2020. Abnormal hyperthermia and hypercarbia were the most common early signs of MH. Patients receiving dantrolene treatment had a significantly higher survival rate compared to those not receiving treatment. Clinical diagnosis remains the main diagnostic method for suspected MH in China, and the WeChat group model has played a significant but limited role in the quick diagnosis and treatment of MH.