During general anaesthesia a patient develops rapidly rising temperature, muscle rigidity and a rising end-tidal carbon dioxide after suxamethonium. Which drug is specific treatment?
Answer and explanation
Correct answer: A. Dantrolene
- Step 1: These features indicate malignant hyperthermia, a pharmacogenetic reaction to volatile agents and suxamethonium. Step 2. Triggers are stopped and dantrolene, which blocks calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, is given with active cooling. Answer: Dantrolene. Why not the others: Naloxone reverses opioids, neostigmine reverses non-depolarising relaxants and flumazenil reverses benzodiazepines.
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