Anaes SAQs · Volatile & inhalational agents
Halothane hepatitis
Short-answer question on halothane hepatitis pathogenesis, the two-phase pattern, mortality and the rationale for withdrawal of halothane.
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Prompt
A 48-year-old woman develops fulminant hepatic failure two weeks after a second halothane anaesthetic within six months. Outline the pathogenesis, clinical features and outcome of halothane hepatitis, and explain why the agent was abandoned.
Question
A 48-year-old woman develops fulminant hepatic failure two weeks after a second halothane anaesthetic within six months. Outline the pathogenesis, clinical features and outcome of halothane hepatitis, and explain why the agent was abandoned.
References5ShowHide
- [1]Gyorfi MJ, et al. Halothane Toxicity StatPearls, 2023.PMID 31424865
- [2]Forrest WH Jr, et al. The National Halothane Study and Hospital Outcomes Anesthesiology, 2025.PMID 41085307
- [3]Eliasson E, et al. Cytochrome P450 2E1 is a cell surface autoantigen in halothane hepatitis Mol Pharmacol, 1996.PMID 8794896
- [9]Neuberger JM Halothane and hepatitis. Incidence, predisposing factors and exposure guidelines Drug Saf, 1990.PMID 2178633
- [10]Ray DC, et al. Halothane hepatitis Br J Anaesth, 1991.PMID 1859766