Anaesthetists Handbook - MEDICAL EDUCATION at University ...

Allergies and adverse drug reactionsSuxamethonium apnoea:The test to be conducted is the dibucaine number.Please send blood sample in yellow top Vacutainer to thebiochemistry lab at the University Hospital. This is then relayed toLeeds by post and the results may take two to three weeks. Do notrequest the dibucaine number in pregnancy – the level will beartefactual.Suxamethonium allergy:Test to be conducted is the Suxamethonium Antibodies IgE. Collectblood in yellow top Vacutainers or EDTA bottles. Send the samples tobiochemistry at the University Hospital. The sample is then sent toLeicester or Sheffield and takes two to three weeks for results.Malignant hyperpyrexiaPatients need to be referred to the MH investigation unit at Leeds.This is the only unit in the UK that provides a database and advisoryservice as well as in vitro contracture testing by muscle biopsy of newpatients as well as their families.See page 143 for emergency clinical management.Address:The MH Investigation UnitThe Clinical Sciences BuildingSt. James’s University HospitalLeedsLS9 7TFTelephone: 0113 206 5274Fax: 0113 206 4140Email:P.J.Halsall@leeds.ac.ukBefore referring patients please take a detailed history, which shouldinclude details of last anaesthetic of the patient and their relatives,the exact nature of the reaction, any uneventful anaesthetics thatmight have followed the reported reaction. Also obtain any written146 Anaesthetists Handbook January 2010