Members of the North American Malignant Hyperthermia Registry (NAMHR) traveled to Valenica, Spain last week to take part in the 41st annual meeting of the European Malignant Hyperthermia Group (EMHG). The registry has been hosted by the UF Department of Anesthesiology since 2017.
The NAMHR at UF team was represented by Nikolaus Gravenstein, M.D., registry director and professor of anesthesiology; Amy Gunnett, RN, CCRC, registry manager and manager of clinical research for the Department of Anesthesiology; and Anna Woods, RN, assistant registry manager and clinical research coordinator III for the Department of Anesthesiology.
Gunnett said the purpose of the meeting was to collaborate, share research and discuss new and upcoming guidelines for malignant hyperthermia (MR) treatment.
“We learned at the meeting that one form of dantrolene isn’t approved anywhere but the United States,” she said. “It inspired a thought-provoking discussion about the potential confusion of having multiple versions of the drug in one place.”
“It was a very productive trip,” said Woods. “We were able to make new connections and collaborate with new people. I’m looking forward to following up, working together on new projects and expanding our registry here.”
Gunnett and Woods both presented at the EMHG annual meeting.
More than a dozen countries were represented at the conference, and Woods said she hopes to foster and encourage collaboration with international colleagues now that the registry is approved for international entry.