Newswise — Malignant Hyperthermia Experts from throughout Canada and the world will be attending the MH Scientific Conference in Toronto sponsored by the Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States in in conjunction with Toronto General Hospital Orlando on November 1 & 2, 2013. What is Malignant HyperthermiaMalignant hyperthermia (MH) is a potentially fatal, inherited disorder usually associated with the administration of certain general anesthetics and/or the drug succinylcholine. The disorder is due to an acceleration of metabolism in skeletal muscle. The signs of MH include muscle rigidity, rapid heart rate, high body temperature, muscle breakdown and increased acid content. Immediate treatment with the drug dantrolene usually reverses the signs of MH. The underlying defect is abnormally increased levels of cell calcium in the skeletal muscle.
There is mounting evidence that some patients will also develop MH with exercise and/or on exposure to hot environments. Without proper and prompt treatment with dantrolene sodium, mortality is extremely high. The best way to protect yourself, your family, your patients and facility, is to be prepared before it's too late.
About the Conference This important conference allows clinicians and scientists to share new data and utilize this information in their current strategies for patient diagnosis and management. The conference also provides motivation for new research efforts, which will not only help progress the field of MH research, but will also contribute to the understanding of muscle dysfunction and disease.
Through lectures and interactive discussions with subject matter experts in molecular genetic diagnosis, and muscle function in health and disease, this project will inform physicians and scientists who are researching malignant hyperthermia (MH) and its variants and those who care for patients with MH, heat stroke and muscle breakdown of the latest advances in the field. Sharing this information will advance genetic diagnosis of patients suspected of being at risk for MH, congenital muscle disorders, heat stroke and muscle breakdown with exercise.
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education through the joint sponsorship of UPSTATE Medical University and MHAUS. UPSTATE Medical University is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.
Upon completion, participants will be able to: 1) Describe the pathophysiology of Malignant Hyperthermia and how intracellular calcium signals in skeletal muscle is recognized.
2) Explain to colleagues and patients how the RYR-1 variants in MH and related disorders affects the body’s pathophysiology and more clearly describe the synergies in these areas.
3) Employ genetic testing basics with their colleagues and patients in order to more clearly define the medical care needs of patients.
4) Analyze the signs of MH, assess treatment options quickly and respond with a plan of action to keep their patients safe.
5) Integrate the latest MH educational discoveries and updates to the plan of action in preparing for an rapidly treating an unforeseen MH event and thus save the patient’s life by following the MH guidelines available
About the Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States (MHAUS): MHAUS was founded families who lost their children to MH or could not find information about MH. In 1981 they found each other - and a doctor performing MH testing – and agreed “to make current information about MH available to all who need it!”MH is inherited genetic disorder found in an estimated 1 out of 2,000 people. MH is triggered by certain anesthesia and most often experienced in individuals undergoing routine surgery but in rare cases MH can happen without anesthesia. Symptoms include body temperature of up to 107 degrees, muscle rigidity, system-wide organ failure, and possible death.
Today MHAUS provides information and resources to medical and lay communities through conferences, educational materials, ID tags, 24-hour MH Hotline, MHAUS website, and with the help of chapter groups.The mission of MHAUS is to promote optimum care and scientific understanding of MH and related disorders. MH episodes can happen at any time. MHAUS can help you prepare before it’s too late.
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