Biomaterial Database

Succinylcholine-induced cardiac arrest in unsuspected Duchenne muscular dystrophy. 1984

W A Henderson

A case history is presented of a three-year-old boy with unsuspected Duchenne muscular dystrophy, who suffered a cardiac arrest following the administration of a single dose of succinylcholine during a halothane anaesthetic. The arrest was associated with lack of fasciculations, muscle rigidity, hyperkalemia, myoglobinuria, and massive elevation of serum creatine phosphokinase. Asystole was prolonged and refractory to treatment, although cardiac activity was eventually restored. The possible cause of the circulatory collapse is discussed and reports of similar cases reviewed. Neither succinylcholine nor halothane should be employed in cases with known or suspected Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008297	Male		Males
D009136	Muscular Dystrophies	A heterogeneous group of inherited MYOPATHIES, characterized by wasting and weakness of the SKELETAL MUSCLE. They are categorized by the sites of MUSCLE WEAKNESS; AGE OF ONSET; and INHERITANCE PATTERNS.	Muscular Dystrophy,Myodystrophica,Myodystrophy,Dystrophies, Muscular,Dystrophy, Muscular,Myodystrophicas,Myodystrophies
D002675	Child, Preschool	A child between the ages of 2 and 5.	Children, Preschool,Preschool Child,Preschool Children
D006221	Halothane	A nonflammable, halogenated, hydrocarbon anesthetic that provides relatively rapid induction with little or no excitement. Analgesia may not be adequate. NITROUS OXIDE is often given concomitantly. Because halothane may not produce sufficient muscle relaxation, supplemental neuromuscular blocking agents may be required. (From AMA Drug Evaluations Annual, 1994, p178)	1,1,1-Trifluoro-2-Chloro-2-Bromoethane,Fluothane,Ftorotan,Narcotan
D006323	Heart Arrest	Cessation of heart beat or MYOCARDIAL CONTRACTION. If it is treated within a few minutes, heart arrest can be reversed in most cases to normal cardiac rhythm and effective circulation.	Asystole,Cardiac Arrest,Cardiopulmonary Arrest,Arrest, Cardiac,Arrest, Cardiopulmonary,Arrest, Heart,Asystoles
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013390	Succinylcholine	A quaternary skeletal muscle relaxant usually used in the form of its bromide, chloride, or iodide. It is a depolarizing relaxant, acting in about 30 seconds and with a duration of effect averaging three to five minutes. Succinylcholine is used in surgical, anesthetic, and other procedures in which a brief period of muscle relaxation is called for.	Succinyldicholine,Suxamethonium,Anectine,Celocurine,Dicholine Succinate,Ditilin,Listenon,Lysthenon,Myorelaxin,Quelicin,Succicuran,Succinylcholine Chloride,Succinylcholine Dibromide,Succinylcholine Dichloride,Succinylcholine Dichloride, Di-H2O,Succinylcholine Diiodide,Succinylcholine Diperchlorate,Succinylcholine Iodide,Suxamethonium Bromide,Suxamethonium Chloride,Bromide, Suxamethonium,Dibromide, Succinylcholine,Dichloride, Succinylcholine,Diiodide, Succinylcholine,Diperchlorate, Succinylcholine,Succinate, Dicholine,Succinylcholine Dichloride, Di H2O