Malignant hyperthermia is a severe reaction to medications used during general anesthesia. This reaction is an autosomal dominant disorder that only affects those that are susceptible. These people carry mutations that result in abnormal RYR1 or DHP receptors. When these patients are exposed to triggering agents, it leads to unregulated passage of calcium from the sarcoplasmic reticulum into the intracellular space. This causes sustained muscle contraction which leads to accelerated levels of aerobic metabolism. This accelerated metabolism produces excessive heat. Over time, the sustained muscle contraction produces more heat than the body is able to disperse, which results in hyperthermia.