CJA
HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a scholarly reply
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by HENDERSON, W.A. V.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow Articles by HENDERSON, W.A. V.

Canadian Journal of Anesthesia, Vol 31, 444-446, Copyright © 1984 by Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society

Clinical Reports: Succinylcholine-Induced Cardiac Arrest in Unsuspected Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

W.A. V. HENDERSON MB CHB FRCP(C)1

1 Guelph General Hospital, Guelph, Ontario

where correspondence should be addressed to Dr. 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.

Key Words: COMPLICATIONS: cardiac arrest, hyperkalemia, Duchenne muscular dystrophy • NEUROMUSCULAR RELAXANTS: succinylcholine






HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS
Copyright © 1984 by the Canadian Anesthesiologists' Society.