Abstract

In this paper, we present two cases of death caused by malignant hyperthermia and discuss their properties according to the literature data.

First case: a 24-year-old-male was taken to the operating room for lombar disc hernia operation. At the 30th minute of the operation, tachycardia (120/min) was observed followed by bradycardia and cardiac arrest occurred at the 45th minute of the operation. After resuscitation, his fever was 39.5°C (103.1°F), then the fever rised to 40°C (104°F). CPK-MB level was high. The patient died on the seventh day after the operation.

Second case: a 27 year-old male was taken to the operating room for rhinoplasty. After few minutes, his pulse decreased to 50/min, thus atropine was injected. Then his pulse and blood pressure rose up to high levels. SpO2 decreased from 96% to 90%. Fever rose up to 41°C (105.8°F) and CPK-MB was high. The case died in seven hours after the beginning of anesthesia.

All of the medical-forensic documents of these cases were analyzed at the First and Third Specialization Board of Council of Forensic Medicine, Turkey and it was evaluated that death was due to malignant hyperthermia in both of them.

Key Words: Malignant Hyperthermia; Anesthesia; Death.