Am J Psychiatry 1986; 143:1027-1029
Copyright © 1986 by American Psychiatric Association
Malignant hyperthermia and ECT
OF Yacoub and DH Morrow
The malignant hyperthermia syndrome is a rare hypermetabolic state that
occurs in patients after the administration of certain drugs, most
frequently anesthetics and/or succinylcholine. In view of the widespread
use of succinylcholine to induce muscle relaxation prior to ECT, it is
important that the individual who administers succinylcholine in this
setting be familiar with the syndrome and its treatment. This report
reviews what is known about malignant hyperthermia and proposes a course of
action when the syndrome occurs in a patient undergoing ECT or a patient
with known susceptibility to malignant hyperthermia needs ECT.
