International Health Partnership

Archive for the ‘Cosmetic Surgery’ Category

Malignant hyperthermia is a rare but potentially fatal complication of general anesthesia. Most of the pubic is unaware of this very rare, but very dangerous genetic condition. It is a rare biochemical reaction of the muscles to certain inhaled anesthetic agents that are used quite frequently in Main Line Cosmetic Surgery because they are highly effective, inexpensive, and easy to administer to the client patient. Malignant hyperthermia is marked by intense muscle contractions that lead to a rigidity in muscle tissue, inadvertently causing hyperthermia and eventual muscle breakdown.

Main Line Plastic Surgery client/patients who are genetically susceptible to succumb to malignant hyperthermia will have pronounced abnormal proteins inside their muscle cells. These proteins will trigger the release of excess calcium when the client/patient inhales certain common anesthetics. This increased calcium level activates sustained muscle contractions the will increase the amount of energy the body uses. Energy use will correspondingly increase the body’s heat production and hence, hyperthermia.

When these overheated muscle cells run out of energy and die, high levels of potassium and a protein are released into the body’s bloodstream and can cause a cascade of dangerous events. These include muscle damage, cardiac arrest, brain damage, massive internal bleeding, kidney and other organ failure and premature death. These events can occur even when proper treatment is administered by professional like those at Bryn Mawr Cosmetic Surgery.