Der Anaesthesist
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Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is an autosomal dominantly inherited disorder, triggered in susceptible individuals by inhalation anesthetics and depolarizing muscle relaxants such as succinylcholine. Because of its high sensitivity (97-99%) and specificity (93.6%) as well as the genetic heterogeneity of MH disorder, the in vitro contracture test (IVCT) following the European-MH-Group is considered to be the "Gold Standard" for phenotypical determination of predisposed patients. On the other hand mutations in the skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor gene (RYR1) are tightly linked with MH susceptibility. After detecting a C1840T-mutation (Arg614Cys) in the RYR1 gene in one individual of a large MH family, we searched for this mutation in the remaining family members and determined the concordance with IVCT. ⋯ Based on results of IVCT the identification of a MH associated mutation in a MH-family can make and support a correct MH diagnosis and can resolve MHE findings.
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The objective of this review is to describe which hygiene measures are appropriate and necessary in anaesthesia and the ICU and which are not, whereby unnecessary hygiene measures are those which are not substantiated by scientific data. The most effective single infection control measure is still hand disinfection between patient contacts. Unnecessary measures include routine sampling of environmental surfaces, disinfecting the floor in the ICU, protective gowns for visitors, so called in-line filters in the infusion system etc. Ventilator tubes only need to be exchanged once a week, even when no HMEs are used.