Activated charcoal adsorption of volatile anesthetic agents for anesthesia machine preparation of malignant hyperthermia susceptible patients.

To the editor: We would like to share recent advancements regarding the utilization of activated charcoal filters to adsorb volatile anesthetic agents (VAAs). Although activated charcoal has been known for many years to adsorb VAAs,1-3 it has only recently become commercially available and endorsed by the Malignant Hyperthermia Association of the United States (MHAUS).4 MHAUS has put forth updated recommendations for the preparation of anesthesia workstations to be used in malignant hyperthermia (MH) susceptible patients. In these new recommendations, MHAUS recommends longer flushing times and the use of activated charcoal filters for the absorption of VAAs.4