Cost-benefit analysis of maintaining a fully stocked MH cart in maternity units

Editor's Note

This study found no cost benefit to maintaining a fully stocked malignant hyperthermia (MH) cart with a full supply of dantrolene in maternity units, where triggering agents are rarely used.

Maintaining an MH cart in every maternity unit in the US would reduce morbidity and mortality costs by $3,304,641 per year, but it would cost $5,927,040 annually.

If cesarean delivery rates remained at 32% of all births, the general anesthesia rate would have to be more than 11% to achieve a cost benefit.

The only cost-effective strategy is to keep a 250-mg dose of dantrolene in the unit for starting treatment, the researchers conclude.