What is Rhabdomyolysis (muscle breakdown disease)?

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From the Guidelines

Rhabdomyolysis es una condición médica grave que requiere atención médica inmediata, y el tratamiento típico implica la administración agresiva de fluidos intravenosos, con el objetivo de mantener la producción de orina y prevenir daño renal, según se informa en 1. 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.

  • Las causas comunes de rhabdomyolisis incluyen trauma, ejercicio excesivo, medicamentos (particularmente estatinas), infecciones y ciertos trastornos genéticos, como se menciona en 1.
  • El tratamiento de la rhabdomyolisis implica la administración de fluidos intravenosos para mantener la producción de orina y prevenir daño renal, así como la corrección de desequilibrios electrolíticos, como se informa en 1.
  • Es importante discontinuar cualquier medicamento o actividad que pueda estar causando la rhabdomyolisis y evitar el uso de AINE, que pueden empeorar el estrés renal, según se menciona en 1.
  • La recuperación de la rhabdomyolisis depende de la gravedad y la causa subyacente, y la mayoría de los pacientes mejoran con tratamiento oportuno, aunque algunos pueden desarrollar enfermedad renal crónica, como se informa en 1.
  • La prevención de la rhabdomyolisis es crucial, especialmente en atletas y personas que realizan actividades físicas intensas, y puede lograrse mediante la progresión gradual de la intensidad y la duración del ejercicio, así como la hidratación adecuada y el descanso, como se menciona en 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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