IV 111th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 1200 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES March 19, 2010 Mr. McCotter submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce RESOLUTION Expressing support for designation of March as Malignant Hyperthermia Awareness and Training Month.

Whereas Malignant Hyperthermia (MH) is an autosomal dominant genetic muscle disorder which triggers a biochemical chain reaction when susceptible individuals are administered volatile gaseous anesthetics like enflurane, sevoflurane, isoflurane, halothane, or the muscle relaxant succinylcholine; Whereas these anesthetics may cause a fast-acting, life-threatening crisis characterized by a rise in heart rate, increased body metabolism, muscle rigidity, high fever, cardiac arrest, brain damage, internal bleeding, or death; Whereas Malignant Hyperthermia could affect approximately 1 in every 5,000 anesthetics; Whereas a person’s susceptibility to the disorder may not be known prior to the administration of anesthesia; Whereas, without emergency therapy with the antidote, dantrolene sodium, the patient has a greater than 85 percent chance of death; Whereas medical professionals and medical facilities should keep Malignant Hyperthermia training current in order to rapidly recognize and diagnose the disorder; Whereas recent research has concluded that 43 percent of hospitals, 68 percent of ambulatory surgery centers, and 85 percent of oral surgery clinics in the United States do not have the appropriate amount of the antidote to fully treat a MH emergency; Whereas a family’s health history is an important diagnostic and reference tool prior to surgery; Whereas a patient’s safety, in part, depends on clear communication between a patient and their medical caregivers prior to surgery; and Whereas the month of March would be an appropriate month to designate as Malignant Hyperthermia Awareness and Training Month: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1)supports the designation of Malignant Hyperthermia Awareness and Training Month; (2)urges the Secretary of Health and Human Services in cooperation with the medical community to provide the public with information about Malignant Hyperthermia (MH) and guidance for patients and caregivers to help diagnose the disorder before a life-threatening crisis is triggered; (3)encourages medical professionals and medical facilities in the United States to keep MH training current in order to rapidly recognize and diagnose the disorder and to maintain an appropriate supply of the drugs and equipment needed to successfully treat a MH emergency; and (4)encourages families in the United States to document their health history for the benefit of future generations.