A Mom Who Lost Her Six Year-Old Son to Malignant Hyperthermia Discusses Family Risk in Orlando on June 29

Newswise — Six year-old Vincent Groetzner died June 14, 2010 when he quickly developed a fever that soared to 108 degrees after playing at a friend's house. The medical examiner reported the cause to be Malignant Hyperthermia (MH). MH is a condition caused by a gene mutation that can result in a sudden high temperature and severe muscle contractions, and in some cases death. Most often it occurs when a person receives certain types of anesthesia during surgery, but in very rare cases it also can be triggered by high outside temperatures or strenuous exercise, according to the Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States.

"It's important to know that it's not just about anesthesia, there are other documented causes," Lisa Groetzner said to the Orlando Sentinel in 2010.

Learn the basics on how recognize, diagnose, and treat Malignant Hyperthermia
Learn the basics on how recognize, diagnose, and treat Malignant Hyperthermia by attending at the “MH Let’s Save a Life” conference where patients sit side-by-side with healthcare professionals, students, and families learning about MH from experts affiliated with MHAUS on June 29, 2013 from 10 am - 4 pm at Orlando Regional Medical Center located in Orlando, FL. The inherited muscle disorder Malignant Hyperthermia (MH) is most often triggered by certain anesthetic drugs leading to a life-threatening crisis that requires prompt, specific treatment. In rare cases, MH may also be triggered by heat and exercise. The conference is sponsored by Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States in conjunction with Orlando Health, Florida Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses (FLASPAN), and Florida Society of Anesthesiologists (FSA).

Register for the MH Conference Today!

Upon completion, participants will be able to:
1) Identify the signs and symptoms of an MH event.
2) Enforce quick treatment regimen for MH event.
3) Explain the response plan for an MH event to other medical staff.
4) State proper patient safety steps to take in preparation for an MH-Susceptible patient.
5) Discuss MH testing options with patients and assist them in seeking further information. There are education credits available.

About Malignant Hyperthermia:
MH is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder found in an estimated 1 out of 2,000 people. Once triggered, the rapid progressive series of chain events include a body temperature of up to 107 degrees, muscle rigidity, system-wide organ failure, and, if untreated, eventual death. MH is often experienced in individuals undergoing, what was expected to be, routine surgery.

The incidence of MH is low, but, if untreated, the mortality rate is high. Introduction of a treatment drug and advances in the understanding of MH have saved many lives since the syndrome was first described in the 1960s.

About the Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States (MHAUS):
MHAUS was founded families who lost their children to MH or could not find information about MH. In 1981 they found each other - and a doctor performing MH testing – and agreed “to make current information about MH available to all who need it!”

Today MHAUS provides information and resources to medical and lay communities through conferences, educational materials, ID tags, 24-hour MH Hotline, MHAUS website, and with the help of chapter groups like The Geoff Keller Chapter Group of MHAUS

The mission of MHAUS is to promote optimum care and scientific understanding of MH and related disorders. MH episodes can happen at any time. MHAUS can help you prepare before it’s too late.