Current knowledge of malignant hyperthermia in a department of anaesthesiology

Abstract

Background Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is an inherited, pharmacogenetic disorder of skeletal muscle, which leads to a potentially fatal hypermetabolic state in response to certain triggering agents. These include most volatile anaesthetic agents and the depolarising muscle relaxant succinylcholine. These drugs are used daily in the Department of Anaesthesiology at the University of the Witwatersrand. The knowledge of MH in the department at Wits University is currently not known. Studies performed in other countries generally show inadequate knowledge of MH among theatre personnel Methods A prospective, contextual, descriptive research design was used in this study. A knowledge-based questionnaire was completed by Wits anaesthetists. Permission to utilise a questionnaire obtained from a Dutch study was granted. This questionnaire was adapted for content and context with the help of South African MH expert Dr JC Brand.Results Percentages scored for the four subscales were: risk factors (58.3%), triggers (94.9%), diagnosis (75.2%) and treatment (42.4%). The overall mean (SD) score was 59.2% (12.6%). The mean (SD) score for juniors was 53.0% (13.4%) and for seniors 62.2% (11.1%). This difference was statistically significant (p=0.0001). Only 6 (4.4%) of participants achieved the pass mark of 80% or more, all of whom were seniors. Conclusion This study showed an inadequate level of knowledge of MH among anaesthetists in the department. These results are in keeping with those found in studies performed in other countries.