What is Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown disease)?

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From the Guidelines

Rhabdomyolisis es una condición médica grave que requiere atención médica inmediata, y su tratamiento debe priorizar la administración de fluidos intravenosos agresivos y el monitoreo de la función renal y los electrolitos. La rhabdomyolisis es una condición caracterizada por la descomposición del tejido muscular esquelético, lo que libera proteínas musculares como la mioglobina en la sangre. Esto puede causar daño renal y otros problemas graves.

Causas y factores de riesgo

La rhabdomyolisis puede ser causada por various factores, incluyendo:

  • Trauma
  • Ejercicio excesivo
  • Medicamentos (como estatinas) 1
  • Infecciones
  • Otros factores

Síntomas y diagnóstico

Los síntomas de la rhabdomyolisis pueden incluir:

  • Dolor muscular
  • Debilidad
  • Orina oscura
  • Niveles elevados de creatina quinasa (CK) en la sangre

Tratamiento

El tratamiento de la rhabdomyolisis debe ser agresivo y debe incluir:

  • Administración de fluidos intravenosos para mantener la hidratación y la función renal
  • Monitoreo de la función renal y los electrolitos
  • Identificación y tratamiento de la causa subyacente
  • Evitación de medicamentos nefrotóxicos

Prevención

La prevención de la rhabdomyolisis es crucial, especialmente en personas que están en riesgo de desarrollar esta condición. Esto puede incluir:

  • Evitar el ejercicio excesivo
  • Mantener una hidratación adecuada
  • Evitar medicamentos que puedan causar rhabdomyolisis
  • Monitorear los niveles de CK en la sangre en personas que están en riesgo

En resumen, la rhabdomyolisis es una condición grave que requiere atención médica inmediata, y su tratamiento debe priorizar la administración de fluidos intravenosos agresivos y el monitoreo de la función renal y los electrolitos. La prevención es crucial, especialmente en personas que están en riesgo de desarrollar esta condición 1.

From the Research

Definition and Causes of Rhabdomyolysis

  • Rhabdomyolysis is a clinical and biochemical syndrome that occurs when skeletal muscle cells disrupt and release creatine phosphokinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and myoglobin into the interstitial space and plasma 2.
  • The main causes of rhabdomyolysis include direct muscular injury, strenuous exercise, drugs, toxins, infections, hyperthermia, seizures, metabolic and/or electrolyte abnormalities, and endocrinopathies 2.

Diagnosis and Complications

  • Rhabdomyolysis has characteristic clinical, laboratory, and radiologic features, but requires a high index of suspicion for diagnosis 3.
  • The syndrome may present with several complications, such as arrhythmias, electrolyte abnormalities, acute renal injury, acidosis, volume depletion, compartment syndrome, and disseminated intravascular coagulation 3.
  • Acute kidney injury (AKI) occurs in 33-50% of patients with rhabdomyolysis, with main pathophysiological mechanisms including renal vasoconstriction, intraluminal cast formation, and direct myoglobin toxicity 2.

Treatment and Management

  • The milestone of treatment is vigorous fluid resuscitation, with aggressive intravenous fluid resuscitation (IVFR) conditionally recommended to improve outcomes of acute renal failure (ARF) and lessen the need for dialysis 4.
  • Bicarbonate and mannitol administration are not recommended, as they do not improve the incidence of acute renal failure and need for dialysis in patients with rhabdomyolysis 4, 5.
  • High-volume fluid therapy may worsen renal outcomes and increase mortality, with limited use of bicarbonate and adjustment of fluid volume potentially improving short- and long-term outcomes of patients with rhabdomyolysis 5.
  • Immediate, aggressive intravenous volume expansion is indicated to prevent myoglobinuric renal failure, with optimal crystalloid selection still debated 6.

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Research

Acute kidney injury due to rhabdomyolysis.

Saudi journal of kidney diseases and transplantation : an official publication of the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation, Saudi Arabia, 2008

Research

Rhabdomyolysis. The role of diagnostic and prognostic factors.

Muscles, ligaments and tendons journal, 2013

Research

Rhabdomyolysis: advances in diagnosis and treatment.

Emergency medicine practice, 2012

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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