Expert: Ronald Levy, M.D. - 3/26/2009

Question
Mom had a condition that causes anesthesia to have an adverse reaction. It causes patient to have a very hard time awaking. All I can remember is that it starts with the letter "c" and was about 15 letters long.  I was told this condition might be hereditary. Can you help? Thanks.

Answer
Most likely the condition is Pseudocholinesterase deficiency. This is a condition where the patient has a herditary deficiency of an enzyme that breaks down one of the paralytic drugs that we use (Succinylcholine). Depending on her DNA this can me mild, moderate or severe. In all cases, she should tell any anesthesiologist that she has this condition (perhaps even wear a Medic-alert tag). It is not a problem because we can give her other drugs that don't use this enzyme (so she will wake up normally).

More important is YOU should get tested for this condition (as well as other family members) so that you don't have the same problem. If any of you go for anesthesia, make sure to mention that you have a family history of this disease.

Ronald Levy, MD
Professor of Anesthesiology
UTMB-Galveston