MHAUS Newsletter, December 2008
In this issue:

MHAUS Honors Six at Annual Recognition Reception

MHAUS honored six recipients with six different awards at its annual Recognition Reception on October 20, 2008, during the ASA Annual Meeting in Orlando, Florida.

 

The Media Award recognized Patty Pensa, Staff Writer, Sun-Sentinel, Delray Beach, Florida, for her work to increase public awareness of the Malignant Hyperthermia Syndrome.

 

The Outstanding Dedication to MHAUS Award recognized Henry Rosenberg, MD, President MHAUS and Director, Department of Medical Education and Clinical Research, Saint Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, NY, for his leadership, vision and dedication to the Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States.

 

Sandra Becker, MD, of the University of Witten, Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine Herdecke, Germany, received the Daniel Massik Award for her manuscript entitled “Comparison of Systemic Effects of 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, of Ryanodex®  Therapy and Uncoupling Protein 3 Expression in Malignant Hyperthermia Susceptible and Normal Swine”

 

A Special Recognition Award recognized Margaret Link, Marketing Specialist, P&G Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Mason, OH for her outstanding dedication and ongoing assistance to the growth of the Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States

 

Mary Theroux, MD, of the DuPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, DE and Richard McNeer, MD, of the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami, FL, were the co-recipients of the 2008 MH Hotline Partnership Award.  This award recognizes special cases in which the 24/7 MH Hotline was used to solve MH cases in real time via the telephone or Internet.

 

You can read more about MHAUS’ Recognition Reception and the award winners in the upcoming winter issue of The Communicator.

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Anesthesiology Publishes “Postoperative Malignant Hyperthermia”

Anesthesiology has published “Postoperative Malignant Hyperthermia: An Analysis of Cases from the North American Malignant Hyperthermia Registry,” by authors Ronald Litman, D.O., Christopher Flood, M.D., Richard Kaplan, M.D., Yung Ly Kim, M.S., and Joseph Tobin, M.D., F.A.A.P., F.C.C.M, in its November 2008 issue.

Background: The initial presentation of malignant hyperthermia (MH) may begin in the postoperative period. However, the maximal latency period between the end of anesthesia care and the onset of postoperative MH is unknown. The authors hypothesized that this latency period is short and is not manifested by hyperthermia as the initial presenting sign. The authors sought to test this hypothesis and to describe the clinical characteristics of postoperative MH by analysis of suspected cases in the North American Malignant Hyperthermia Registry of MHAUS.

Methods: Of 528 possible or suspected cases of MH in the North American Malignant Hyperthermia Registry, the authors identified 64 possible reports of postoperative MH. The records were reviewed in detail by the authors, each of whom assigned a qualitative score of likely, not likely, not enough information available, or not applicable (where MH was not the final definitive diagnosis). Postoperative MH was confirmed after a consensus meeting of the three senior authors who reviewed in detail all possible likely cases.

Results: The authors identified postoperative MH in 10 subjects. All received volatile agents and 5 also received succinylcholine. All demonstrated signs characteristic of acute MH, including generalized rigidity, hypercapnia and/or tachypnea, tachycardia, and hyperthermia. No subject demonstrated hyperthermia as the presenting sign. The latency period between the anesthesia finish time and the onset of a sign indicative of acute MH ranged from 0 to 40 min.

Conclusions: Postoperative MH is uncommon, occurring in 10 of 528 suspected MH cases (1.9%) reported to the North American Malignant Hyperthermia Registry. Postoperative MH began shortly after completion of the anesthetic care. Hyperthermia was not a presenting sign of MH.

You can read the full text version at: http://www.anesthesiology.org/pt/re/anes/fulltext.00000542-200811000-00015.htm;jsessionid=JYDBGmd38QSzC1pl3vJF8T4Q1bypZvNrTzGsnYkGMHnS5SJ4TfZC!1600976923!181195628!8091!-1

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Malignant Hyperthermia: It’s Not Just About Anesthesia

It is very common to think about the Malignant Hyperthermia (MH) syndrome as a problem related to anesthesia exclusively. Indeed, most of the concerns about MH since its first descriptions in the 1960s centered on the unexpected and often disastrous changes that can occur during the administration of general anesthesia to an otherwise healthy individual.

 

That MH occurs during anesthesia and even today may lead to death and permanent or temporary disability is certainly true. What we now realize is that MH should be considered not as just a problem of anesthesia, but as a medical disorder like other disorders.

 

There is much more to learn about MH and its implications.  To read more on this topic, visit the “President’s Blog” on the MHAUS website at http://www.mhaus.org/presidentsblog/

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NMSIS Announces Promising New Investigators Travel Scholarship for 2008-2009

The Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome Information Service (NMSIS) is pleased to announce a competition to recognize promising new investigators based on a scholarly paper addressing “New Insights on Psychotropic Drug Safety and Side Effects.”

 

Consistent with its mission to advance pharmacotherapy and patient safety, NMSIS offers two travel scholarships to promote education and research by early career psychiatrists. Two prizes of $2000 and $1000 will be awarded toward travel costs to attend the American Psychiatric Association Meeting in San Francisco, CA, in May 2009, where the scholarships will be presented.

 

Papers should address specific issues related to the scholarship theme and be no longer than 15 double-spaced typed pages in length. Literature reviews, case reports, or original studies that are not in press or published are acceptable. Primary author must be a student, resident or fellow. Papers will be judged on originally, scholarship, relevance and methodology.

 

To participate, papers and curriculum vitae of the primary author must be submitted by February 6, 2009 to Mr. Michael Wesolowski, 11 East State, Sherburne, NY 13460, fax 607-674-7910, or via email to michael@mhaus.org.

 

Winners will be announced by March 6, 2009.

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Facebook Connects People From All Around the World with a Common Cause

Have you joined MHAUS on Facebook yet?  You’ll meet people there from all around the world who share a common interest in malignant hyperthermia (MH).  Indeed, an anesthesiologist from the Philippines recently discussed the high rate of MH-susceptibles in the Philippines on Facebook.

 

It’s easy to join.  All you need is a valid email address.  Once you register, you’ll join a network of people who share a common cause.  For those unfamiliar with it, Facebook is a social utility that connects people with friends and others who work, study and live around them.  People use Facebook to keep up with friends, upload an unlimited number of photos, share links and videos, and learn more about the people they meet.

 

MHAUS wants you as a friend on our Facebook profile.  Join now by visiting http://apps.facebook.com/causes/80493?h=plw&recruiter_id=14702483

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Full RYR1 Gene Sequencing Test Now Available

PreventionGenetics, LLC, has announced that its full RYR1 gene sequencing test is now ready for patient specimens.  Previously, PreventionGenetics, LLC, covered only about a third of the 106 exons in this very large gene.  Now, sequencing of all exons is being offered.  The company’s test has also gone from three tiers to two tiers.  The first tier is available for the same price as before, but it covers more exons.

 

For more information, contact Dr. James Weber at jim.weber@preventiongenetics.com or visit www.preventiongenetics.com

 

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