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HYPERPYREXIA AND HYPERTONIA IN ANAESTHESIA
Author(s) -
James O. F.
Publication year - 1970
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1970.tb84484.x
Subject(s) - hypertonia , metabolic acidosis , hyperventilation , anesthesia , medicine , acidosis , creatine kinase , hypercarbia , muscle damage
The cases are reported of two youths who developed the syndrome of hyperpyrexia and hypertonia during routine anæsthesia. One died and one survived. A less severe manifestation of the syndrome appears to have occurred in the survivor. However, evidence was presented that severe metabolic disturbance and muscle damage do occur in the condition. Metabolic acidosis together with hypercarbia, due to acceleration of metabolism, suggests that artificial hyperventilation with high concentrations of oxygen is indicated. Abnormal serum enzyme levels, particularly that of creatine phosphokinase, show the extent of muscle damage resultant from the hypertonia. However, whilst these investigations demonstrate the abnormal physiological processes at work, thus indicating a method of treatment, it would appear that there is still no adequate way of anticipating the occurrence of the syndrome.