Familial paroxysmal rhabdomyolysis: management of two cases of the non-exertional type

Familial paroxysmal rhabdomyolysis with myoglobinuria is a rare and life-threatening disease of young children, of unknown aetiology. Attacks bear no relation to exercise, are usually triggered by intercurrent infections and are often severe. The authors describe two cases and suggest plans for the prevention and management of attacks. Fasting appears to be the crucial factor precipitating attacks, but is not associated with hypoglycaemia or with a defect in lactate production, ketogenesis or fatty acid mobilisation. The fatty acid-binding protein in a muscle biopsy from one case was normal.

Acute barium poisoning with respiratory failure and rhabdomyolysis

Barium is a divalent alkaline earth metal used as the insoluble sulfate salt in contrast radiography and soluble acid salts in industry. Barium poisoning results from ingestion or inhalation of the acid salts; the most common poisoning occurs after ingestion of the rodenticide barium carbonate (BaCO3). We report seven cases of BaCO3 poisoning in one family; three hospitalized patients displayed classic signs of barium toxicity, and one patient also developed rhabdomyolysis, respiratory failure, and hypophosphatemia. All patients survived. Rhabdomyolysis has not been previously reported in barium poisoning, and this is the first reported barium poisoning epidemic in the United States. The history, pathophysiology, and treatment of barium poisoning are reviewed.

In vitro contraction test for malignant hyperthermia in patients with unexplained recurrent rhabdomyolysis

A few cases of non-anaesthetic-induced rhabdomyolysis in humans, predisposed to malignant hyperthermia (MH), have been described in literature. We studied a group of 6 consecutive patients with unexplained and recurrent attacks of rhabdomyolysis with the test used to determine susceptibility to MH, the in vitro contraction test (IVCT). The results of the IVCT showed 5 of these 6 patients to be MH susceptible. In cultured muscle cells from one of these patients a disturbed calcium homeostasis could be demonstrated. The relation between MH and recurrent rhabdomyolysis is discussed.

Renal failure in disasters

This article focuses on the steps that both search and rescue teams and advanced medical teams may use to reduce the potential for acute renal failure from crush injury in disasters and provides guidelines for the deployment of dialytic resources in the disaster setting.

Rhabdomyolysis secondary to lovastatin therapy

We report a case of lovastatin-induced rhabdomyolysis and resulting life-threatening renal failure. Lovastatin, a hypocholesterolemic agent, decreases endogenous cholesterol synthesis by inhibiting 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (EC 1.1.1.88). This agent has been implicated in causing rare serious side effects in various clinical settings; however, the mechanism of these adverse reactions is not understood. The clinical course of our patient was characterized by profound muscle weakness with marked increases in serum creatine kinase and myoglobin. Light- and electron-microscopic studies of skeletal muscle of our patient demonstrated a noninflammatory myopathy suggestive of ongoing rhabdomyolysis with vacuolization and focal degeneration of myocytes. The patient's symptoms and the laboratory values referable to rhabdomyolysis resolved after discontinuation of the drug. We speculate that the rhabdomyolysis was due to mitochondrial damage secondary to inadequate synthesis of coenzyme Q and heme A, members of the electron-transport system of the inner mitochondrial membrane.

Rhabdomyolysis with renal dysfunction in a hypothermic man

We describe a case of rhabdomyolysis with renal dysfunction in a 41-year-old previously healthy man with hypothermia. We believe this to be the first case of rhabdomyolysis and hypothermia so far described in the UK.

Predicting the severity of cocaine-associated rhabdomyolysis

STUDY OBJECTIVES

The syndrome of rhabdomyolysis associated with cocaine use has been recently described, but the incidence, severity, risk factors, and complications are unknown. This study sought to describe the spectrum of the syndrome and identify clinical features of patients at risk.

DESIGN

Retrospective case series with analysis of common clinical features.

SETTING

Medical emergency department of an urban teaching hospital serving an indigent population.

TYPES OF PARTICIPANTS

ED patients with acute cocaine intoxication and a serum creatine kinase (all MM) of more than 500 U/L (8.3 ukat/L) who were admitted for in-hospital management.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Twenty-nine patients, representing 5% of cocaine-related patient visits, were identified over 20 months. Patients were divided into three groups: mild, characterized by anxiety, tachycardia, diaphoresis, dyspnea, or chest pain; moderate, characterized by delirium, agitation, fever, leukocytosis, or an elevated serum creatinine; and severe, characterized by seizure, coma, hypotension, arrhythmia, or cardiac arrest. There was a significant association between the rating system for level of intoxication and the severity of rhabdomyolysis and its complications (P less than .01). Patients at highest risk for complications of rhabdomyolysis were those in the moderate or severe groups.

CONCLUSION

This classification system may be useful for the management of patients with acute cocaine intoxication, predicting those patients in whom aggressive therapy should be initiated in the ED to minimize the complications of rhabdomyolysis.

Rhabdomyolysis due to pulsed electric fields

High-voltage electrical trauma frequently results in extensive and scattered destruction of skeletal muscle along the current path. The damage is commonly believed to be mediated by heating. Recent experimental and theoretical evidence suggests, however, that the rhabdomyolysis and secondary myoglobin release that occur also can result from electroporation, a purely nonthermal mechanism. Based on the results of a computer simulation of a typical high-voltage electric shock, we have postulated that electroporation contributes substantially to skeletal muscle damage and could be the primary mechanism of damage in some cases of electrical injury. In this study, we determined the threshold field strength and exposure duration required to produce rhabdomyolysis by the electroporation mechanism. The change in the electrical impedance of intact skeletal muscle tissue following the application of short-duration, high-intensity electric field pulses is used as an indicator of membrane damage. Our experiments show that a decrease in impedance magnitude occurs following electric field pulses that exceed threshold values of 60 V/cm magnitude and 1-ms duration. The field strength, pulse duration, and number of pulses are factors that determine the extent of damage. The effect does not depend on excitation-contraction coupling. Electron micrographs confirm structural defects created in the membranes by the applied electric field pulses, and these represent the first clear demonstration of rhabdomyolysis in intact muscle due to electroporation. These results provide compelling evidence in support of our postulate.

Rhabdomyolysis and Staphylococcus aureus septicemia in a man with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

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Rhabdomyolysis associated with hypokalaemic periodic paralysis of renal tubular acidosis

Two cases of hypokalaemia with serum potassium levels of 1.4 mmol/L and 1.9 mmol/L causing severe periodic paralysis since childhood are presented. There were associated with muscular aches and markedly raised muscle enzymes suggesting massive rhabdomyolysis. These abnormalities were due to renal tubular acidosis with markedly acidic arterial pH. The hypokalaemia and rhabdomyolysis responded to potassium and bicarbonate replacement. We postulate these patients had sporadic distal type of renal tubular acidosis and that the hypokalaemia and acidosis had caused the rhabdomyolysis.

Rhabdomyolysis and myoglobinuric renal failure

Rhabdomyolysis, a clinical syndrome resulting from the release of skeletal muscle cell contents into the plasma, is causally connected to up to 25 percent of all cases of acute renal failure. Critical care nurses need to be aware of precipitating factors and proper interventions in order to assure optimal function in this patient population.

[Detoxication in the critical state due to rhabdomyolysis]

An examination of 92 patients with the crush syndrome and the position compression syndrome was made. All the patients were examined by clinico-biochemical methods, the cardiovascular system being also studied. The leading place is occupied by endogenous intoxication. The metabolic disorders were of a total character involving different links of metabolism. It required inclusion of efferent methods in the program of treatment. The most effective program of using efferent methods of treatment was developed on the basis of the state of hemodynamics and clinico-biochemical peculiarities.

Rhabdomyolysis and listeria monocytogenes

Non-traumatic rhabdomyolysis occurs as a complication of a wide variety of infections and is often discovered as a result of the associated renal failure. We report a case of meningitis due to Listeria monocytogenes, an uncommon cause of infection in adults which was associated with rhabdomyolysis. This confirms a recent first case report of this association.

Clinical features, pathogenesis and management of drug-induced rhabdomyolysis

Striated musculature is considered unusually tolerant to all kinds of injuries, and rhabdomyolysis associated with drug overdose or chronic drug intake is a rare event. This may be because striated musculature, in contrast to other tissues such as liver and kidney, shows little affinity for most drugs. Several different types of drug-induced rhabdomyolysis may be distinguished, and the clinical features of the condition may vary widely, from moderate myalgia to involvement of groups of muscles to involvement of the total skeletal musculature. In clinically asymptomatic rhabdomyolysis, early diagnosis is only made if routine laboratory tests include determination of serum creatine kinase. Determination of myoglobin in serum and urine is more sensitive and allows earlier diagnosis of muscle necrosis. Myoglobinaemia may lead to toxin-induced tubular necrosis, and impairment of renal function or even acute renal failure. About 10% of all cases of acute renal failure are due to rhabdomyolysis. Fulminant rhabdomyolysis may be associated with excessive hyperkalaemia and hypocalcaemia which may induce further life-threatening complications. Therefore, early diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis is most important for prevention of its potentially life-threatening sequelae. Therapy of rhabdomyolysis consists of supportive and specific measures. Early diagnosis may help to prevent life-threatening sequelae like acute renal failure, electrolyte imbalance and shock. Withdrawal of the incriminated drug or detoxification in drug overdose should be followed by supportive measures including infusion therapy and correction of dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Forced diuresis with sodium bicarbonate may protect the kidney function from acidosis and precipitation of myoglobin in tubules. Elimination of myoglobin from plasma may be enhanced by plasmapheresis. In patients with acute renal failure, haemodialysis is necessary. In malignant hyperthermia, immediate infusion of dantrolene sodium is required. This drug also seems to have a beneficial effect in neuroleptic malignant syndrome. The repair mechanisms of striated musculature function extremely well. The prognosis of muscular atrophy after the acute stage of rhabdomyolysis is excellent. The same is true for the prognosis of acute renal failure. However, the extent of complications or survival of the acute stage of rhabdomyolysis strongly depend on early diagnosis and start of adequate therapy.

Rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure after terbutaline overdose

A case of rhabdomyolysis-induced acute renal failure secondary to overdosage with the beta 2-adrenoceptor agonist terbutaline is described. This is a previously undocumented association. We propose that the hyperkinetic effects of intense beta-receptor stimulation may induce rhabdomyolysis.

Effect of phenytoin on the clinical signs and in vitro muscle twitch characteristics in horses with chronic intermittent rhabdomyolysis and myotonia

In vitro twitch characteristics of the semimembranosus muscle were evaluated in 9 clinically normal horses, in 15 horses with chronic intermittent rhabdomyolysis (CIR) and in 2 horses with myotonia. Effects of phenytoin on in vitro muscle twitch and clinical signs of CIR and myotonia were evaluated in these same horses. Times to 90% relaxation were prolonged in the horses with CIR (mean +/- SEM, 186 +/- 5.9 ms) and in 2 horses with myotonia (197 and 177 ms) compared with those in clinically normal horses (mean +/- SEM, 146 +/- 2.1 ms). Horses with CIR also had significantly (P less than 0.05) longer times to 50% relaxation, compared with clinically normal horses. In the group of horses with CIR, Standardbreds had significantly (P less than 0.05) longer times to 90% and 50% relaxation, compared with Thoroughbreds. Times to 100% peak tension did not differ among the groups. Administration of phenytoin directly into a muscle preparation bath solution had no effect on muscle twitch properties. After the initial muscle biopsy, phenytoin was administered orally for 7 to 10 days to 4 horses with CIR, 2 myotonic horses, and 2 clinically normal horses before repeat biopsy from the same site in the contralateral semimembranosus muscle. Times to 90% relaxation decreased from 197 and 177 ms to 144 and 126 ms, respectively, in the 2 myotonic horses, from a mean of 192 (+/- 9) ms to 170 (+/- 9) ms in the 4 horses with CIR and remained unchanged (154 and 140 ms before vs 155 and 139 ms after treatment) in the 2 clinically normal horses.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Rhabdomyolysis, myoglobinuria and exercise

Muscle membrane injury is a predictable consequence of extreme exertion. The risk is compounded if an untrained individual performs eccentric exercise in a hot environment, or there is any preceding infectious disease, drug ingestion or an underlying metabolic disorder. Once the integrity of the membrane is breached, a constellation of physiological changes follows. Cell contents leak out and extracellular components leak in. Muscle pain and weakness ensue. Myoglobin is but one substance that is liberated into the bloodstream. When dehydration, hypovolaemia and acidosis are added to the myoglobin load, the kidney may respond by ceasing its excretory and metabolic functions. This is the most serious consequence of rhabdomyolysis, and may be life threatening. The clinical setting, in combination with laboratory features of a grossly elevated creatine kinase, orthotoluidine positive urine and granular casts provides a rapid and accurate means of diagnosis in most cases. Management principles include aggressive fluid replacement, early use of cation exchange resins and dialysis for electrolyte control, plus fasciotomy for relief of compartment syndrome and limb preservation. Following this protocol, the prognosis is excellent. Prior conditioning clearly reduces the incidence of exercise-related muscle injury. Future research should concentrate on the rate at which training loads can be safely increased.

Exertional heat stroke and acute renal failure in a young woman

Strenuous exercise leading to heat stroke is known to cause rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure in men, but there are no reports of this environmental illness in otherwise healthy women. We report the first case of heat and exercise induced acute renal failure in a young nonacclimated adult female following intense exertion in the Grand Canyon. This individual displayed the typical clinical features of exertional heat stroke including hyperpyrexia, CNS disturbance, rhabdomyolysis, oligoanuric acute renal failure, and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. The pathophysiology is discussed as well as sexual differences in response to heat and exercise. The specific factors that may have predisposed this young woman to heat stroke from exertion are identified.

Acute renal failure following nontraumatic rhabdomyolysis

The etiology and clinical course of acute nontraumatic rhabdomyolysis and ensuing renal failure was surveyed in a series of 40 consecutive patients. In 28 cases the muscle damage occurred after excessive consumption of ethyl alcohol and/or other intoxications. Prolonged lying immobilized was the reason or contributing factor for rhabdomyolysis in 22 cases. The other evident etiologies were convulsions, vigorous physical exercise, arterial occlusion and hypothermia. Typical local signs of rhabdomyolysis--pain, swelling and weakness of the affected muscles--were absent in one fourth of the patients. In these cases the diagnosis was based on transient elevation of serum creatine kinase enzyme activity. Dialyses were required to manage acute renal failure in 24 subjects. All 36 survivors recovered normal renal function. Neurological defects in the extremities still persisted in 16 patients at three months' follow-up.

Patchy renal vasoconstriction in rhabdomyolysis-related acute renal failure

In rhabdomyolysis-related acute renal failure evidence of patchy renal vasoconstriction during the recovery phase was obtained by abdominal CT scan, which showed a wedge-shaped high-density area in the kidney.