Rhabdomyolysis related to acute recreational drug toxicity-A Euro-DEN study

Intramuscular heroin-induced severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury-a case report

Rhabdomyolysis (RM) is characterised by the breakdown of skeletal muscle tissue, releasing toxic intracellular components into circulation. It presents with dark urine, muscle weakness, myalgia, and elevated creatine phosphokinase levels (CPK). Drug-induced RM is aetiologically significant. This case report describes a 25-year-old male who developed severe RM and Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) after intramuscular (IM) heroin administration as a first time user. IM heroin use can induce higher CPK levels due to direct myocyte toxicity and mechanical trauma. The highly vascularised gluteal muscles with type 1 fibres at the injection site likely exacerbated the severity. Additional factors included lower mitochondrial density in males and alcohol exposure. Despite aggressive fluid resuscitation, renal replacement therapy (RRT) was required, and the patient responded well to haemodialysis. This case highlights AKI as a severe complication of IM heroin use, underscoring the need for further research into drug-induced RM.

Neurological Effects of Stimulants and Hallucinogens

In this article, we will discuss the history, pharmacodynamics, and neurotoxicity of psychostimulants and hallucinogens. The drugs discussed are widely used and have characteristic toxidromes and potential for neurological injuries with which the practicing clinician should be familiar. Psychostimulants are a class of drugs that includes cocaine, methamphetamine/amphetamines, and cathinones, among others, which produce a crescendoing euphoric high. Seizures, ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, rhabdomyolysis, and a variety of movement disorders are commonly encountered in this class. Hallucinogens encompass a broad class of drugs, in which the user experiences hallucinations, altered sensorium, distorted perception, and cognitive dysfunction. The experience can be unpredictable and dysphoric, creating a profound sense of anxiety and panic in some cases. Recognizing the associated neurotoxicities and understanding the appropriate management is critical in caring for these patient populations. Several of these agents are not detectable by standard clinical laboratory analysis, making identification and diagnosis an even greater challenge.

Case report: two cases of rhabdomyolysis following esketamine treatment

Major depressive disorder is a mental disorder affecting millions of people worldwide. A considerable proportion of patients demonstrate a lack of response to conventional treatment. With the recent introduction of esketamine, a new treatment option has been approved for treatment-resistant depression. Although the medication is efficacious in a substantial portion of cases, rare, but possibly serious, adverse effects may occur. This case series shows two cases of rhabdomyolysis, a destruction of muscle tissue with elevated creatine kinase levels, after administration of esketamine. The first case presented is about a 33 year old male patient who suffered from a severe episode of a depressive disorder. He got nasal esketamine as an emergency treatment. While there was an initial improvement regarding the depressive symptoms, the patient developed muscle pain and fatigue after the administration of the fourth dose, with creatine kinase (CK) levels above 22,000 U/L, indicating rhabdomyolysis. Following the discontinuation of esketamine and the implementation of supportive care, the CK levels returned to normal and the depressive symptoms abated. The second case is about a 22-year-old male patient who also suffered from a severe depressive episode and got eketamine as an emergency treatment. Following the tenth dose, the patient exhibited muscle weakness and elevated CK levels (8,032 U/L), which persisted even after dose reduction. Esketamine administration was stopped, and the following monitoring demonstrated a slow return to normal levels of CK and liver enzymes. In both cases, there was no known medical history and both patients developed rhabdomyolysis after administration of esketamine. The temporal connection suggests a possible causal relationship. We found no literature on esketamine-induced rhabdomyolysis following the administration of nasal esketamine. However, these two cases emphasize the need of monitoring for laboratory changes like elevated CK-levels in patients receiving esketamine, especially considering its growing use in treatment-resistant depression.

Clinical presentation and outcomes of patients with rhabdomyolysis: A tertiary care center experience

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the clinical and laboratory features, complications, and outcomes of patients with rhabdomyolysis in the Saudi population.

METHODS

Retrospectives descriptive study of adult patients who presented to King Abdulaziz Medical City (KAMC) withrhabdomyolysis between January 2016 and December 2022.

RESULTS

Most of the participants (84.5%) were male, with a median age of 41 years and a body mass index of 26.5 kg/m2. Medications, mainly statins (22.4%) and illicit drugs (15.5%), constituted the root causes of rhabdomyolysis in the cohort (44.8%). The most common presenting complaints were myalgia (63.8%) and fatigue (37.9%). More than one-third of the participants (32.8%) developed AKI, with 3 patients requiring temporary hemodialysis, and only 8.6% developed acute liver failure (ALF). Intensive care unit (ICU) admission was required for 10 patients (17.2%), and the overall mortality rate was 8.6%. Patients who developed complications (composite outcomes of AKI, ALF, multiorgan failure, or death) had significantly reduced kidney function and higher levels of blood urea nitrogen, anion gap, and uric acid upon admission than those who did not.

CONCLUSION

This study offers a thorough understanding of clinical and laboratory features, causes, complications, and outcomes of rhabdomyolysis among Saudi patients. The insights gained enhance our understanding of rhabdomyolysis within this population, providing a foundation for future research and improvements in clinical management.

Incidence of rhabdomyolysis occurrence in psychoactive substances intoxication: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Rhabdomyolysis is a potentially life-threatening condition induced by diverse mechanisms including drugs and toxins. We aimed to investigate the incidence of rhabdomyolysis occurrence in intoxicated patients with psychoactive substances. In this review, three databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science) and search engine (Google Scholar) were searched by various keywords. After the screening of retrieved documents, related data of included studies were extracted and analyzed with weighted mean difference (WMD) in random effect model. The highest incidence of rhabdomyolysis was observed in intoxication with heroin (57.2 [95% CI 22.6-91.8]), amphetamines (30.5 [95% CI 22.6-38.5]), and cocaine (26.6 [95% CI 11.1-42.1]). The pooled effect size for blood urea nitrogen (WMD = 8.78, p = 0.002), creatinine (WMD = 0.44, p < 0.001), and creatinine phosphokinase (WMD = 2590.9, p < 0.001) was high in patients with rhabdomyolysis compared to patients without rhabdomyolysis. Our results showed a high incidence of rhabdomyolysis induced by psychoactive substance intoxication in ICU patients when compared to total wards. Also, the incidence of rhabdomyolysis occurrence was high in ICU patients with heroin and amphetamine intoxication. Therefore, clinicians should anticipate this complication, monitor for rhabdomyolysis, and institute appropriate treatment protocols early in the patient's clinical course.

Efficacy of On-line Hemodiafiltration for Rhabdomyolysis Presenting with Acute Kidney Injury Due to Unexpected Drug Abuse

Myoglobin is a well-known cause of acute kidney injury (AKI) due to rhabdomyolysis. However, whether or not removing serum myoglobin by on-line hemodiafiltration (OHDF) improves the kidney function remains unclear. We herein report a patient with a history of methamphetamine abuse who developed AKI due to rhabdomyolysis. A urinalysis and blood collection results obtained before and after OHDF demonstrated that OHDF improved the kidney function by removing a large amount of serum myoglobin rather than via urinary excretion. In conclusion, OHDF may prevent AKI progression effectively when the urine volume is insufficient.

A Rare Case of Methamphetamine-Induced Severe Rhabdomyolysis and Compartment Syndrome

Mild cases of drug induced rhabdomyolysis are well documented, however severe cases require additional investigation. Here, we report a case of a 40-year-old female with no pertinent medical history who presented to the emergency department with bilateral leg weakness after recent polysubstance use. During the 26 days of hospitalization, the patient had three days of sustained creatine phosphokinase level of >42,000 U/L, oliguric acute renal failure treated with emergent dialysis, compartment syndrome requiring bilateral thigh and leg fasciotomies and required discharge to a long-term hemodialysis rehab center for ongoing management. The patient was diagnosed with a rare and life-threatening complication of methamphetamine (MA)-induced rhabdomyolysis. The relationship between MA-induced rhabdomyolysis and compartment syndrome is far from a novel concept. However, nearly all published cases demonstrate mild kidney injury and precipitating factors of agitated delirium and hyperpyrexia as the driving force for the compartment syndrome. In this report, we present a successfully treated, severe case of MA-induced kidney failure and rhabdomyolysis leading to compartment syndrome without clear indications of psychomotor agitation and hyperpyrexia. This report aims to highlight the importance of quick recognition of a rare methamphetamine side effect and the need for hasty response to limit complications and decrease hospital stay. Perhaps in the future, rhabdomyolysis etiology and severity may drive specific treatment plans.

Elevated body temperature and leukocyte count are associated with elevated creatine kinase after seizures

Objective

To evaluate the independent risk factors for elevated creatine kinase (hyperCKemia) after seizures.

Methods

Data included in this retrospective study were obtained from two hospitals from July 1, 2017, to March 31, 2022. Clinical and laboratory data were acquired from the emergency department or within 24 h after patient admission. Variables that exhibited statistical differences (P < 0.05) were selected for further analysis. Associations between body temperature (BT), leukocyte count (LEU), percentage of neutrophils (NEU), and C-reactive protein (CRP) and creatine kinase (CK) levels were assessed using binary logistic regression analysis.

Results

One hundred twenty-three patients who exhibited seizures were included in the study, and 39 (31.7%) patients exhibited hyperCKemia based on a CK level that was >1.5 times the upper limit of the normal range for CK. No statistical differences were observed among the patient characteristics, seizure-related parameters, or electrolyte levels. However, BT, LEU, NEU, and CRP were elevated in patients with hyperCKemia compared to patients with normal CK levels. Specifically, a BT ≥ 37.5 °C (fever) and LEU >9.5×10⁹/L (elevated LEU) exhibited positive correlations with hyperCKemia, and presented an adjusted OR of 8.87 (95% CI: 2.11-37.24, P = 0.003) and 3.01 (95% CI: 1.12-8.05, P = 0.029), respectively.

Conclusion

In this study, hyperCKemia occurred in 31.7% of patients after seizures. Fever and elevated LEU were independent risk factors for seizure-related hyperCKemia. Earlier recognition of risks for seizure-related hyperCKemia would be beneficial in taking prophylactic measures.

Rhabdomyolysis Occurring After Use of Cocaine Contaminated With Fentanyl Causing Bilateral Brachial Plexopathy

BACKGROUND

Rhabdomyolysis is caused by muscle overuse, trauma, prolonged immobilization, drugs, or toxins. As rhabdomyolysis progresses, swelling and edema can compress surrounding structures. Few cases of the phenomenon occurring as a sequela of substance use have been described.

CASE PRESENTATION

We present a 68-year-old male patient with rhabdomyolysis following use of crack cocaine contaminated with fentanyl. The patient had 0/5 strength bilaterally and bilateral absent reflexes in the upper extremities. Sensation was markedly decreased, as he was unable to feel temperature, pinprick sensation, or general touch. Creatine phosphokinase level was elevated at 21,292 IU/L. On magnetic resonance imaging, there was abnormal signal in the lower neck bilaterally. It is presumed that muscular edema resulted in partial narrowing of the thoracic outlet bilaterally with corresponding mass effect on the traversing brachial plexus.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the seventh case of brachial plexopathy secondary to rhabdomyolysis precipitated by opioid use that has been reported in the literature. Prospective studies should examine treatment for this condition.

Cocaine-induced rhabdomyolysis and compartment syndrome

A man in his 30s with a history of cocaine and intranasal heroin use presented to the emergency department with severe leg pain and weakness. Physical examination findings were significant for tachycardia, absence of dorsalis pedis pulses, tense and painful calf muscles along with absence of plantar reflexes in bilateral lower extremities. Laboratory investigations were significant for positive urinary drug screen for cocaine, severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury. Given the absence of dorsalis pedis pulses in bilateral lower extremities and radiological evidence of oedematous changes in calf muscles with perimuscular oedema, a diagnosis of compartment syndrome was made. He was treated with bilateral lower extremity four-compartment fasciotomies and haemodialysis for acute kidney injury. Rhabdomyolysis has been attributed to cocaine use; however, compartment syndrome is a very rare complication, especially in the absence of trauma or prolonged immobilisation.

Atraumatic Bilateral Acute Compartment Syndrome of the Lower Legs: A Review of the Literature

Bilateral acute compartment syndrome of the legs is a very rare presentation that requires emergency surgical intervention. Atraumatic bilateral cases are almost unheard of in medicine. There is currently no link between compartment syndrome and cognitive impairment or mental health. A systematic literature search was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines using the following keywords in multiple databases: compartment syndrome, atraumatic, spontaneous, bilateral, both, lower leg, acute, compartmental pressure, and fasciotomy. Atraumatic, bilateral, acute, and confirmed compartment syndrome cases were included. In total, 33 cases of atraumatic bilateral acute compartment syndrome (ABACS) were identified, of those 72.7% of cases were males. A form of cognitive impairment was found in 66% of cases. The medical history of the cases included substance abuse (nine patients), mental health illness (seven patients), and hypothyroidism (four patients). Within the reports, there was evidence of a misdiagnosis or delayed management in 19 cases (57.6%). Creatinine kinase (CK) was measured in 28 cases with a mean CK of 110,893 IU/L. Compartment pressure measurements were used in only 12 cases. A total of 29 cases were managed with bilateral four-compartment fasciotomy. This review highlights that ABACS is a condition with high rates of misdiagnosis or delay in treatment. Associations found included patients with cognitive impairment on presentation, mental health conditions, substance misuse, and elevated levels of CK. In addition, this review demonstrates that this condition is less rare than previously thought with serious morbidity and mortality.