Dr. Sheila Riazi of University of Toronto Appointed to Malignant Hyperthermia Advisory Council

Newswise — Director of the Malignant Hyperthermia Investigation Unit at the Toronto General Hospital Sheila Riazi,​ MSc, MD, FRCPC has been newly appointed to the Professional Advisory Council (PAC) of the Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States (MHAUS).

“I am pleased to announce that Sheila Riazi has been elected to membership in the MHAUS Professional Advisory Council, says MHAUS President, Henry Rosenberg, MD, CPE.

Dr. Riazi is an accomplished academic anesthesiologist who has focused her research efforts on Malignant Hyperthermia. In 2010 she assumed the leadership of the MH diagnostic unit at the University of Toronto where she oversees muscle biopsy testing as well as a varied research program. She is assisted in those endeavors by Dr. Natasha Kraeva and Wanda Frodis, who were first recruited to the testing center by the legendary Beverly Britt.

Dr. Riazi has published several important papers related to the molecular genetics and muscle pathology of MH patients and was a contributor to the review article on the NIH web site that summarizes the latest information on inherited disorders, GeneTests.

Most recently Dr. Riazi was the host and one of the organizers of the recent MHAUS Scientific Conference held at the University of Toronto. She and her colleagues are now summarizing the proceedings of that conference for publication.

In addition to these roles, Dr. Riazi teaches medical students and residents in anesthesia and has developed a unique elective experience for Anesthesia residents desirous to learn more about MH.”

“Dr. Riazi, as an outstanding clinician, educator and researcher and will be a valuable member of the MHAUS Professional Advisory Council, says MHAUS PAC Chair, Robert T. Dirksen, PhD.

Dr. Riazi has been extremely productive in terms of both clinical and basic research investigations of MH and other RyR1-related disorders and has been published in several high-impact, peer-reviewed journals and has secured grant funding for her research from a number of sources. Dr. Riazi has also developed new and innovative educational programs related to MH. In addition to her contributions to MH research and education, Dr. Riazi has demonstrated strong leadership skills as evidenced by her successfully revitalizing the MH Investigation Unit at the University of Toronto, being appointed to the North American MH Registry Advisory Council, and playing a key role in the scientific and administrative organization of the 2013 MHAUS Scientific Conference in Toronto.

Dr. Riazi’s track-record and expertise in MH research, genetics, education, treatment and her link to the Canadian MH community make her an extremely valuable member of the MHAUS PAC.”

About the Professional Advisory Council of MHAUS
The Professional Advisory Council (PAC) of the Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States (MHAUS) are healthcare professionals from throughout the world who are expert in Malignant Hyperthermia and together approve and generate all content published by MHAUS.

What is Malignant Hyperthermia
Malignant Hyperthermia (MH) is inherited genetic disorder found in an estimated 1 out of 2,000 people and triggered by certain anesthetics and/or the drug succinylcholine and most often experienced in individuals undergoing routine surgery but in rare cases MH can happen without anesthesia. The disorder is due to abnormally increased levels of cell calcium in the skeletal muscle. Symptoms include body temperature of up to 107 degrees, muscle rigidity, system-wide organ failure, and possible death.

There is mounting evidence that some patients will also develop MH with exercise and/or on exposure to hot environments. Without proper and prompt treatment with dantrolene sodium, mortality is extremely high.

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!”

Since 1981 MHAUS has asked fostered the following: the World Health Organization (WHO) to add MH to its list of recognized diseases and disorders. In 1983 the first MHAUS healthcare professional and patient teaching conference. In 1992 the FDA ordered pharmaceutical companies that manufacture succinylcholine to change the package insert to indicate that the drug should not be used routinely in children. In 1995 the MH 24-hour Hotline was formalized and MHAUS merged with the North American MH Registry, which had been established in 1987. In 1997 the MHAUS website was formed along with the Neuroleptic Malignant Information Service of MHAUS. In 1998 the MH ID Tag program was created. In 2000 the MH Procedure Manual was created for ambulatory surgery centers, hospitals, and office based surgery suites. In 2001 the MH Patient Liaison Committee was formed. In 2003 a new

mutation in ryanodine receptor gene was discovered and appears to be causal for MH. More at: www.mhaus.org.

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 MH chapter groups.

The mission of Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States is to promote optimum care and scientific understanding of MH and related disorders. MH episodes can happen at any time and MHAUS will always be ready to provide assistance when you need it. But the best way protect your family and patients is to be prepared before it’s too late. Get Involved with MHAUS today to find out how.