Florida Mom Who Lost Her Six Year-Old Son to Malignant Hyperthermia Talks About Family Risk in Albany, NY

Newswise — Six year-old Vincent Groetzner died June 14, 2010, after he started to complain of leg cramps and rapid heart rate and a developing fever that soared to 108 degrees while 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 there is mounting evidence that some patients will also develop MH with exercise and or on exposure to hot environments, 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. To watch Lisa talk about how MH has impacted her family click this link.

Register to 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 on September 14, 2013 from 10 am to 4 pm at St. Peter’s Health Partners - St. Peter’s Hospital located in Albany, NY. At the event patients and families sit side-by-side with healthcare professionals and students learning about MH from experts affiliated with the Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States (MHAUS). The conference is sponsored by MHAUS in conjunction with St. Peter's Health Partners: St. Peter’s Hospital, Albany Memorial, Samaritan Hospital and St. Mary's Hospital.

To register: click here, or call: 607-674-7901 , or go to www.mhaus.org for more information.

What is Malignant Hyperthermia
Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a potentially fatal, inherited disorder usually associated with the administration of certain general anesthetics and/or the drug succinylcholine. The disorder is due to an acceleration of metabolism in skeletal muscle. The signs of MH include muscle rigidity, rapid heart rate, high body temperature, muscle breakdown and increased acid content. Immediate treatment with the drug, dantrolene sodium for injection, usually reverses the signs of MH. The underlying defect is abnormally increased levels of cell calcium in the skeletal muscle.

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. The best way to protect yourself, your family, your patients and facility, is to be prepared before it's too late.

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 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!”

MH is inherited genetic disorder found in an estimated 1 out of 2,000 people. MH is triggered by certain anesthesia and most often experienced in individuals undergoing routine surgery but in rare cases MH can happen without anesthesia. Symptoms include body temperature of up to
107 degrees, muscle rigidity, system-wide organ failure, and possible death.

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 newly formed New York MH 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.