Drug-induced hyperthermia and rhabdomyolysis during the perioperative period: Report of three patients

Abstract

Drug-induced hyperthermia is one condition that anesthesiologists may meet even though it is uncommon, it is life threatening. We report 3 cases of patients at Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University who developed drug-induced hyperthermia and rhabdomyolysis from different mechanisms. In two of them, the diagnosis was suspected malignant hyperthermia. Rigidity, hyperthermia and tachyarrhythmia developed just after inhalation induction (halothane and sevoflurane) and intubation with succinylcholine. The other case was the result of amphetamine abuse. He also had received both succinylcholine and inhalation agent (isoflurane) but no obvious signs or symptoms were detected during anesthesia. He developed a gradual increase in fever over 13 hours post operation and complained of muscle pain (with leg muscle cramps). All of them showed a marked increase in muscle enzymes and had rhabdomyolysis. As a result of early detection and early manangement, these three patients survived without any permanent damage to vital organs. We conclude that Thai anesthesiologists should be more aware and alert to drug-induced hyperthermia especially as nowadays many teenagers abuse stimulant drugs and "triggering" drugs as antidepressant or serotonin reuptake inhibitors are prescribed more frequently. Early detection and management will decrease morbidity and mortality.