BACKGROUND: Limited research has been conducted on how healthcare simulation can mitigate clinician stress. Stress exposure training (SET) has been shown to decrease stress\'s impact on performance. Combining SET with virtual reality (VR) simulation training has not yet been explored in the context of stress inoculation. The primary purpose of this pilot study was to determine if a VR module could induce stress. The secondary purpose was to determine if repeated exposure to stressors could decrease stress response in a simulated environment.
METHODS: Medical students were recruited to partake in VR simulation modules aimed at treatment of malignant hyperthermia (MH). Those in the SET group were exposed to stressful stimuli during training modules, while those in the Control group were not. Both groups then completed a Test Module with the presence of stressful stimuli. Objective and subjective indicators of stress were measured after each module.
RESULTS: Both groups indicated increases in perceived stress and module stressfulness after Training Module 1 and decreases after Training Module 2. After the Test Module, the Control group experienced significant elevation in perceived stress (p = .05), and the SET group had a significant decrease in perceived module stressfulness (p < .05). Both groups had a decrease in perceived competence after Training Module 1 (p < .001) and an increase after Training Module 2 (p < .001), with the SET group having significant elevation after the Test Module (p < .01). Both groups found the VR module to be feasible as a teaching tool. Objectively, the SET group showed an upward trend in electrodermal activity (EDA) from the Tutorial to Test Modules (p < .05), with the Control group showing a decrease after Training Module 2 (p = .05) and an increase after the Test Module (p < .01).
CONCLUSIONS: A VR module targeting treatment of MH successfully induced stress and was regarded favorably by participants. Those in the SET group perceived less stress and more competence after the Test Module than those in the Control. Findings suggest that repeated exposure to stressors through VR may desensitize participants from future stress in a simulated environment.

UNASSIGNED: Pathogenic variants of RYR1, the gene encoding the principal sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release channel (RyR1) with a crucial role in excitation-contraction coupling, are among the most common genetic causes of non-dystrophic neuromuscular disorders. We recently conducted a questionnaire study focusing on functional impairments, fatigue, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with RYR1-related diseases (RYR1-RD) throughout the recognized disease spectrum. In this previous questionnaire study the medical perspective was taken, reflective of a study protocol designed by neurologists and psychologists. With this present study we wanted to specifically address the patient perspective.
UNASSIGNED: Together with affected individuals, family members, and advocates concerned with RYR1-RD, we developed an online patient survey that was completed by 227 patients or their parents/other caretakers (143 females and 84 males, 0-85 years). We invited 12 individuals, representing most of the patient group based on age, sex, race, and type and severity of diagnosis, to share their personal experiences on living with a RYR1-RD during an international workshop in July 2022. Data were analyzed through a mixed-methods approach, employing both a quantitative analysis of the survey results and a qualitative analysis of the testimonials.
UNASSIGNED: Data obtained from the combined quantitative and qualitative analyses provide important insights on six topics: 1) Diagnosis; 2) Symptoms and impact of the condition; 3) Physical activity; 4) Treatment; 5) Clinical research and studies; and 6) Expectations.
UNASSIGNED: Together, this study provides a unique patient perspective on the RYR1-RD spectrum, associated disease impact, suitable physical activities and expectations of future treatments and trials, and thus, offers an essential contribution to future research.

In this case report, we discuss the use of a thiopentone infusion for the maintenance of anaesthesia in a patient with confirmed malignant hyperthermia susceptibility and carnitine palmitoyltransferase 2 deficiency. The concurrence of both diagnoses precluded the use of both propofol-based total intravenous anaesthesia and volatile inhalational anaesthesia. This patient had been anaesthetised previously with a triple infusion regimen of thiopentone, midazolam and remifentanil and this was a unique opportunity to compare the two instances. Electroencephalogram-based depth of anaesthesia monitoring was in routine use by the time of the second anaesthetic, and thus, the thiopentone infusion could be adjusted accordingly, resulting in a more rapid emergence time. We hope that this case may serve as an example of suitable anaesthetic alternative should both propofol infusion and inhalational anaesthesia not be an option.

UNASSIGNED: Malignant hyperthermia (MH) is a potentially life-threatening pharmacogenetic syndrome triggered by volatile anaesthetics, succinylcholine, and stress such as vigorous exercise.
UNASSIGNED: The authors describe a case of an 8-year-old male who presented with classical symptoms of MH after induction of general anaesthesia and symptomatic treatment was done successfully due to the unavailability of Dantrolene.
UNASSIGNED: Definitive diagnosis of MH can be done based on a contracture test in fresh muscle biopsy in the presence of halothane and caffeine. In the absence of muscle biopsy and genetic testing, diagnosis for MH can be done based on MH scoring.
UNASSIGNED: Anesthesiologists should be made aware that proper symptomatic management can also save the life of a patient. Also, strong advocacy should be done to ensure the availability of Dantrolene and further strengthen lab facilities to confirm diagnosis to facilitate diagnosis and management in the future.

Malignant hyperthermia (MH), characterized by severe myoclonus, pyrexia, tachycardia, hypertension, elevated muscle enzymes, and hypercapnia, often occurs in patients with congenital deformities or genetic disorders. Although the reported incidence rate is as low as 1:5000 to 1:100,000, patients with MH exhibit rapid aggravation and an elevated mortality rate. Thus, MH is associated with substantial perioperative risk. Successful treatment of patients with MH largely depends on early diagnosis and timely effective treatment. This clinical report provides a detailed description of a patient with newly diagnosed MH who developed a rapid rise in body temperature, end-tidal carbon dioxide, and heart rate during maxillary osteotomy. After successful rescue, the patient recovered smoothly during the postoperative period, indicating the importance of intraoperative monitoring, early diagnosis, effective treatment, and postoperative monitoring. This case is expected to serve as a reference for future interventions and healthcare practices in managing other patients with MH.

Anesthesiologists have been at the forefront of initiatives addressing perioperative patient safety. As anesthesia has no direct therapeutic benefit, its risk must be minimized. At times the surgery is simple but the patient\'s condition complicates anesthetic management, increasing the risk for complications. This report describes the anesthetic management of an adult patient diagnosed with inclusion body myositis (IBM), a rare inflammatory degenerative myopathy, who initially presented with decreased motor function in both lower and upper extremities causing him to be bedbound for two years. Due to the progression of his disease, he eventually developed dysphagia, hence he was scheduled for esophagoscopy, cricopharyngeal Botox injection, and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. As patients with IBM are at risk for exaggerated sensitivity to neuromuscular blockers and respiratory compromise, anesthesia was at the helm of a multidisciplinary team approach. The perioperative management centered on preoperative optimization, prevention of aspiration, avoidance of anesthetics that may trigger malignant hyperthermia, and prevention of postoperative pulmonary complication. The hospital course was uncomplicated and the patient was discharged well after one day. This report emphasizes how improvements in resources, technology, and healthcare delivery, especially in anesthesia, help prevent perioperative adverse events.

BACKGROUND: Malignant hyperthermia is a potentially lethal condition triggered by specific anesthetic drugs, especially a depolarizing muscle relaxant of succinylcholine (Suxamethonium). Despite the frequent use of succinylcholine with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), there has been no reported case of potentially lethal malignant hyperthermia following ECT. In addition, the time interval between the administration of succinylcholine and the onset of malignant hyperthermia has not been outlined in the context of ECT.
METHODS: We present the case of a 79-year-old woman suffering from severe depression, who experienced severe malignant hyperthermia due to succinylcholine administration during an ECT session. She presented with a high fever of 40.2 °C, tachycardia of 140/min, hypertension with a blood pressure exceeding 200 mmHg, significant muscle rigidity, and impaired consciousness. These symptoms emerged two hours after ECT, which occurred in a psychiatric ward rather than an operating room, and reached their peak in less than 24 h. She was given 60 mg of dantrolene, which quickly reduced the muscular rigidity. Subsequently, she received two additional doses of 20 mg and 60 mg of dantrolene, which brought her fever down to 36.2 °C and completely eased her muscle rigidity within two days after ECT.
CONCLUSIONS: This is the first reported case of potentially lethal malignant hyperthermia after ECT. In addition, it highlights the delayed onset of malignant hyperthermia following an ECT procedure, emphasizing the necessity for psychiatrists to recognize its onset even after the treatment. In the light of potentially lethal consequences of malignant hyperthermia, it is critically important for psychiatrists to closely monitor both intraoperative and postoperative patient\'s vital signs and characteristic physical presentations, promptly identify any symptomatic emergence, and treat it immediately with dantrolene.

Patients with neuromuscular diseases are particularly vulnerable in the perioperative period to the development of pulmonary and cardiac complications, or medication side effects. These risks could include hypoventilation, aspiration pneumonia, exacerbation of underlying cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, adrenal insufficiency, prolonged neuromuscular blockade, issues related to thermoregulation, rhabdomyolysis, malignant hyperthermia, or prolonged mechanical ventilation. Interventions at each of the perioperative stages can be implemented to mitigate these risks. A careful pre-operative evaluation may help identify risk factors so that appropriate interventions are initiated, including cardiology consultation, pulmonary function tests, initiation of noninvasive ventilation, or implementation of preventive measures. Important intraoperative issues include positioning, airway and anesthetic management, and adequate ventilation. The postoperative period may require correction of electrolyte abnormalities, control of secretions with medications, manual or mechanical cough assistance, avoiding the risk of reintubation, judicious pain control, and appropriate medication management. The aim of this review is to increase awareness of the particular surgical challenges in this vulnerable population, and guide the clinician on the various evaluations and interventions that may result in a favorable surgical outcome.

Perioperative management of patients with myopathies can be challenging due to the increased risk of malignant hyperthermia (MH) and anesthesia-induced rhabdomyolysis (AIR). However, currently, there is no evidence regarding the optimal anesthetic management for paraneoplastic necrotizing myopathy (PNM) (total intravenous anesthetic vs. volatile anesthetics). Here, I report a case where anesthesia was administered safely using volatile anesthetics. A 63-year-old female presented with PNM associated with papillary thyroid carcinoma, necessitating urgent thyroidectomy. The patient, previously diagnosed with anti-3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGCR) antibody-associated myopathy, exhibited progressive weakness and dysphagia, prompting suspicion of PNM. The patient\'s compromised respiratory status, attributed to tracheal compression by a large goiter, necessitated an urgent thyroidectomy. Anesthetic management considerations included the potential effect of HMGCR-M on respiratory muscles and the need for careful planning to mitigate postoperative complications. The patient underwent total thyroidectomy, left central compartment clearance, and tracheostomy. The surgery proceeded uneventfully, with meticulous monitoring and adjustment of anesthetic agents to maintain hemodynamic stability. Postoperatively, the patient recovered well, demonstrating complete resolution of neurological symptoms during a three-month follow-up. The case underscores the importance of recognizing paraneoplastic syndromes in the context of thyroid surgery and highlights potential challenges faced by anesthesiologists. Despite the lack of established safety data for anesthetic drugs in HMGCR-M necrotizing myopathy, the case demonstrates the successful use of sevoflurane and rocuronium.

BACKGROUND: We described the perioperative management of a child patient with central core disease for bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage. It is safe to avoid triggering agents (volatile anesthetics and succinylcholine) probably in preventing this appearance of malignant hyperthermia (MH). It is important to recognize potential complications and know how to prevent and manage them in patients with this condition.
METHODS: A 5-year-old boy (weight: 8.8 kg; height: 63 cm) presented to the pediatric department after five days of intermittent fever (highest body temperature is 39.3 °C) and cough, and aggravation 1 day, meanwhile he had phlegm in throat but he couldn\'t cough out. The child was found to have motor retardation at his one-month-old physical examination, then genetic analysis showed central core disease. Bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage was performed for better treatment under the premise of symptomatic treatment.
CONCLUSIONS: The patients with central core disease are particularly to develop malignant hyperthermia, so adequate precautions are in place to prevent and treat MH before anesthetic induction. The anesthesiologists need to make adequate preoperative anesthesia management strategies to ensure the safety of the child with central core disease for bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage. The child was discharged from the hospital one week after anti-inflammatory and anti-asthmatic treatment.
CONCLUSIONS: We summarized the anesthetic precautions and management in patients with central core disease, meanwhile we offered some suggestions about anesthetic focus on bronchoscopy with bronchoalveolar lavage.