The sensitivity and specificity of the caffeine-halothane contracture test (2023)

Allen, G. C., Larach, M. G. (1998). The sensitivity and specificity of the caffeine-halothane contracture test. Anesthesiology, 88(3), 579-588. https://doi.org/10.1097/00000542-199803000-00006

Allen, Gregory C. ; Larach, Marilyn Green ; Kunselman, Allen R. / The sensitivity and specificity of the caffeine-halothane contracture test. In: Anesthesiology. 1998 ; Vol. 88, No. 3. pp. 579-588.

@article{d03e1a5dc00b4d5fb44cdce00833fc57,

title = "The sensitivity and specificity of the caffeine-halothane contracture test",

abstract = "Background: The caffeine-halothane contracture test (CHCT) is the only recognized laboratory test to diagnose malignant hyperthermia (MH). The authors report the results of their analysis of pooled data from the North American Malignant Hyperthermia Registry database to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the CHCT. Methods: The MH clinical Grading Scale was used to identify 32 case subjects who were 'almost certain' to be MH susceptible based on clinical criteria alone. Their CHCT results were compared with those of a group of 120 control subjects considered to be at low risk for MH. Diagnostic thresholds of the CHCT were adjusted, and its component tests were combined to generate receiver operating characteristic curves. The maximal Youden index for each component test was chosen as the diagnostic threshold indicative of MH susceptibility. Results: The highest sensitivity (97%; 95% CI, 84-100%) was achieved with a two-component test with thresholds of ≤0.5 g contracture for 3% halothane, ≤ 0.3 g contracture at 2 mM caffeine, or both, considered positive for MH. The test specificity was 78% (95% CI, 69-85%). The addition of other CHCT component tests did not improve CHCT sensitivity or specificity. Conclusion: The CHCT achieves high sensitivity and acceptable specificity as a clinical laboratory diagnostic test when it is performed according to published standards. However, it cannot be used as a screening test because of the low prevalence of MH in the general population.",

author = "Allen, {Gregory C.} and Larach, {Marilyn Green} and Kunselman, {Allen R.}",

note = "Copyright: Copyright 2007 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.",

year = "1998",

doi = "10.1097/00000542-199803000-00006",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "88",

pages = "579--588",

journal = "Anesthesiology",

issn = "0003-3022",

publisher = "Lippincott Williams and Wilkins",

number = "3",

}

Allen, GC, Larach, MG 1998, 'The sensitivity and specificity of the caffeine-halothane contracture test', Anesthesiology, vol. 88, no. 3, pp. 579-588. https://doi.org/10.1097/00000542-199803000-00006

The sensitivity and specificity of the caffeine-halothane contracture test. / Allen, Gregory C.; Larach, Marilyn Green; Kunselman, Allen R.

In: Anesthesiology, Vol. 88, No. 3, 1998, p. 579-588.

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

TY - JOUR

T1 - The sensitivity and specificity of the caffeine-halothane contracture test

AU - Allen, Gregory C.

AU - Larach, Marilyn Green

AU - Kunselman, Allen R.

N1 - Copyright:Copyright 2007 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

PY - 1998

Y1 - 1998

N2 - Background: The caffeine-halothane contracture test (CHCT) is the only recognized laboratory test to diagnose malignant hyperthermia (MH). The authors report the results of their analysis of pooled data from the North American Malignant Hyperthermia Registry database to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the CHCT. Methods: The MH clinical Grading Scale was used to identify 32 case subjects who were 'almost certain' to be MH susceptible based on clinical criteria alone. Their CHCT results were compared with those of a group of 120 control subjects considered to be at low risk for MH. Diagnostic thresholds of the CHCT were adjusted, and its component tests were combined to generate receiver operating characteristic curves. The maximal Youden index for each component test was chosen as the diagnostic threshold indicative of MH susceptibility. Results: The highest sensitivity (97%; 95% CI, 84-100%) was achieved with a two-component test with thresholds of ≤0.5 g contracture for 3% halothane, ≤ 0.3 g contracture at 2 mM caffeine, or both, considered positive for MH. The test specificity was 78% (95% CI, 69-85%). The addition of other CHCT component tests did not improve CHCT sensitivity or specificity. Conclusion: The CHCT achieves high sensitivity and acceptable specificity as a clinical laboratory diagnostic test when it is performed according to published standards. However, it cannot be used as a screening test because of the low prevalence of MH in the general population.

AB - Background: The caffeine-halothane contracture test (CHCT) is the only recognized laboratory test to diagnose malignant hyperthermia (MH). The authors report the results of their analysis of pooled data from the North American Malignant Hyperthermia Registry database to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the CHCT. Methods: The MH clinical Grading Scale was used to identify 32 case subjects who were 'almost certain' to be MH susceptible based on clinical criteria alone. Their CHCT results were compared with those of a group of 120 control subjects considered to be at low risk for MH. Diagnostic thresholds of the CHCT were adjusted, and its component tests were combined to generate receiver operating characteristic curves. The maximal Youden index for each component test was chosen as the diagnostic threshold indicative of MH susceptibility. Results: The highest sensitivity (97%; 95% CI, 84-100%) was achieved with a two-component test with thresholds of ≤0.5 g contracture for 3% halothane, ≤ 0.3 g contracture at 2 mM caffeine, or both, considered positive for MH. The test specificity was 78% (95% CI, 69-85%). The addition of other CHCT component tests did not improve CHCT sensitivity or specificity. Conclusion: The CHCT achieves high sensitivity and acceptable specificity as a clinical laboratory diagnostic test when it is performed according to published standards. However, it cannot be used as a screening test because of the low prevalence of MH in the general population.

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Allen GC, Larach MG, Kunselman AR. The sensitivity and specificity of the caffeine-halothane contracture test. Anesthesiology. 1998;88(3):579-588. doi: 10.1097/00000542-199803000-00006