Diagnosis criteria
A 1994 consensus conference led a set of diagnostic criteria being created. The higher the score (> 6), the more likely an MH reaction,
- Respiratory acidosis (end-tidal CO2 above 55 mmHg or arterial pCO2 above 60 mgHg)
- Heart involvement (unexplained sinus tachycardia, ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation)
- Metabolic acidosis (base excess lower than -8, pH<7.25)
- Muscle rigidity (generalized rigidity including severe masseter muscle rigidity)
- Muscle breakdown (CK >20,000/L units, cola colored urine or excess myoglobin in urine or serum, potassium above 6 mmol/l)
- Temperature increase (rapidly increasing temperature, T >38.8°C)
- Other (rapid reversal of MH signs with dantrolene, elevated resting serum CK levels)
- Family history (autosomal dominant pattern)
Criteria taken from: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malignant_hyperthermia
Image taken from: flickr.com/photos/littman/185210169/