1. To learn the characteristics of malignant hyperthermia (MH) that make its incidence difficult to define.

2. To learn epidemiologic strategies that can be used to overcome “epidemiologic barriers” such as those encountered in MH.

The following are the performance objectives of this presentation. At the end of the course the student should be able to:

1. Recognize in other conditions the characteristics such as those encountered in MH that make its incidence difficult to study.

2. Apply in other suitable conditions the epidemiologic strategies described in this presentation to overcome “epidemiologic barriers” in defining the incidence of MH.

In addition, the authors hope to achieve the following with this presentation, promote: (1) awareness of this rare but potentially fatal anesthesia-related event, (2) awareness of the North American Malignant Hyperthermia Registry/Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the US and its Hotline, and (3) methods for reporting of MH cases.