Anaesthetic-induced malignant hyperpyrexia: a suggested method of treatment.

Experiments in susceptible Landrace pigs have shown that procaine blocks the initiation of anaesthetic-induced malignant hyperpyrexia by both halothane and succinylcholine. Pretreatment with curare prevents only the trigger action of succinylcholine. In a preliminary study procaine was used to treat the established syndrome in five pigs, two of which survived. On the basis of these findings a treatment regimen can be suggested for patients who develop malignant hyperpyrexia.