Malignant hyperthermia.

Two cases of malignant hyperthermia (MH) are presented. The first patient presented initially with tachyarrhythmia intraoperatively and rapid onset of MH crisis. Nasopharyngeal temperature of 43 degrees C was attained after 15-20 minutes of anaesthesia. The patient eventually died of myocardial failure despite external cardiac massage, inotropic support and ventricular pacing. The second patient presented with increasing endogenous hypercarbia following the administration of suxamethonium and isoflurane. The use of the end tidal carbon dioxide monitor led to an early diagnosis of MH. The early use of dantrolene may have contributed to the favourable outcome.