Final answer:
Succinylcholine should be avoided in patients with a personal or family history of malignant hyperthermia and those with a known or suspected history of cardiac dysrhythmias.
Step-by-step explanation:
Succinylcholine should be avoided in patients with a personal or family history of malignant hyperthermia, a rare but potentially life-threatening condition that can cause arrhythmias. Malignant hyperthermia is a severe reaction to certain medications, including succinylcholine, which causes an increase in calcium release from muscle cells. This can lead to hypermetabolism, muscle rigidity, and an abnormal heart rhythm.
Another group of patients who should avoid succinylcholine are those with a known or suspected history of cardiac dysrhythmias, as succinylcholine can trigger or worsen arrhythmias. This medication can cause depolarization of the cardiac muscle cells and increase the risk of irregular heart rhythms.