What is the primary treatment for Malignant Hyperthermia?

Malignant hyperthermia is a life-threatening condition often triggered by certain general anesthetics and muscle relaxants during surgery. It results in a rapid increase in body temperature, muscle rigidity, and metabolic changes, which if left untreated can lead to serious complications or death. The prompt administration of dantrolene sodium is critical in managing this condition.

Dantrolene works by inhibiting calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum within skeletal muscle cells, thus addressing the hypermetabolic state associated with malignant hyperthermia. By reducing the excessive calcium influx, dantrolene helps restore normal muscle function and mitigates the severe muscle contractions and elevated temperature. This targeted approach is essential and is recognized as the primary treatment for malignant hyperthermia.

Other treatments may be supportive, such as cooling measures and intravenous fluid administration, but dantrolene remains the definitive therapy for reversing the pathological processes at play during an episode of malignant hyperthermia.