8 3
A P R I L 2 0 1 4 | O U T P AT I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E O N L I N E
propofol or ketamine. Avoiding triggering agents is the best prophylac-
tic approach, but you should still be hyper-vigilant with potentially sus-
ceptible patients. Have dantrolene and the MH cart at the ready, and
monitor the patient closely for early signs of MH. Some of the initial
signs of MH are unexpected tachycardia or tachypnea, generalized mus-
cle rigidity and hypertension. OSM
Ms. Plank (
kristi.plank@hcahealthcare.com
) is a perioperative educator at the
Cartersville (Ga.) Medical Center.
S U R G I C A L E M E R G E N C I E S
n ON THE WEB
For more information on preventing and treating MH,
access the Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the
United States' website
www.mhaus.org
.
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