Plasma Cholinesterase and Malignant Hyperthermia

Plasma cholinesterase variants and the anaesthetist

“…It is reported that three of the four individuals who have survived MH had the rare ChE genotype E1"EIf and the Elf gene was segregating in two additional families who had lost one relative on account of MH. 254 Eleven British families with a history of this syndrome have been studied and in eight the E l f gene is segregating, in one, the propositus is E,"E1" and in two families no rare ChE has been A Norwegian who survived the syndrome is E l " E l a 2 5 6 but five Danish patients had the usual phenotype E,UEIU.158…”

Assay of Cholinesterase in Clinical Chemistry

“…This constitutes the first recording of a cholinesterase mutation outside the control of the structural gene and is further proof that there is a structural difference between this variant and the others. Recently, Whittaker et al (1977) and Ellis et al, (1978) have reported an increased incidence of the fluoride-resistant gene in patients susceptible to malignant hyperpyrexia after the administration of certain anaesthetics, for example, halothane and suxamethonium. To date, no firm explanation of this phenomenon has been advanced.…”