LABORATORY-ANIMAL MODEL FOR MALIGNANT HYPER-PYREXIA

  • 1 January 1979
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 210  (1) , 70-74
Abstract
Standard laboratory rabbits which are not genetically susceptible to malignant hyperpyrexia [MH] were anesthetized with halothane or pentobarbital. Administration of caffeine in 125 mg increments produced a syndrome strongly resembling malignant hyperpyrexia in rabbits anesthetized with halothane. All animals became rigid, hyperpyrexic, acidotic and hyperkalemic, whereas caffeine-treated, pentobarbital-anesthetized animals developed only mild acidosis. Pentobarbital alone and halothane alone caused no changes in measured variables. This model for MH resembles the naturally occurring disease more closely than several preceding pharmacologic models. MH is a rare but often fatal disease which occurs in susceptible patients on exposure to a variety of anesthetic drugs.