Q and A: about health and research

Malignant Hyperthermia (MH) is a rare, life-threatening pharmacogenetic disorder triggered by specific anesthetic agents. First recognized in the mid-20th century, MH remains a significant concern in surgical and emergency medicine due to its rapid onset and potential for fatal outcomes if not promptly diagnosed and treated. At the heart of MH lies a genetic susceptibility, primarily involving mutations in the RYR1 gene, which disrupt calcium regulation in skeletal muscle cells, leading to a cascade of hypermetabolic events. 1. What Is Malignant Hyperthermia? Malignant hyperthermia is a severe reaction to certain anesthetic drugs, particularly volatile inhalational anesthetics and succinylcholine , a depolarizing neuromuscular blocker. It can occur during or shortly after surgery and is characterized by: Rapid rise in core body temperature Muscle rigidity Increased heart rate (tachycardia) Excessive carbon dioxide production (hypercapnia) Acidosis Rhabdomyolysis (musc...

This is ongoing research, and updates will be included as soon as they become available. A kidney transplant recipient with acute SARS-CoV-2 infection developed rhabdomyolysis and severe acute kidney injury (AKI) . A muscle biopsy confirmed findings consistent with immune-mediated necrotising myositis. Acid exposure and acid–base imbalances may profoundly affect the muscular and vascular systems. Strong acids from external sources, such as industrial chemicals, can cause corrosive tissue damage, while internal disturbances associated with metabolic disorders may disrupt cellular function and contribute to systemic complications. This article explores the potential effects of external acid exposure and internal acid–base disturbances on muscular and vascular health, including those associated with metabolic or genetic conditions. Because susceptibility to ME/CFS and complications following COVID-19 varies among individuals, further research may help determine whether genetic variant...