Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association
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Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is an anesthetic agent-induced hypermetabolic state. Human beings and several other animal species, including dogs, have been described to be genetically predisposed to development of MH. The halothane-triggered MH syndrome was characterized in genetically predisposed dogs, and in vitro contracture sensitivity of biopsied gracilis muscle exposed to halothane and caffeine was quantitated. ⋯ Reversal of the hypermetabolic state was achieved when halothane was discontinued and dantrolene sodium was given i.v. Biopsied gracilis muscle from MH-susceptible dogs had abnormal in vitro contracture responses to halothane and caffeine. These findings were consistent with those observed for MH-susceptible human beings and pigs in which a loss in regulation of muscle cell Ca(+)+ is believed to be the primary etiologic event for induction of MH.