Rhabdomyolysis

Question 1

What is rhabdomyolysis?

Answer 1

Condition where skeletal muscle tissue breaks down and releases breakdown products into blood

Question 2

What is rhabdomyolysis usually triggered by?

Answer 2

Event that causes muscle to break down eg extreme underuse or overuse or traumatic injury

Question 3

What does muscle cell death cause them to release?

Answer 3

Myoglobin
Potassium
Phosphate
Creatinine kinase

Question 4

What happens to myocyte breakdown products?

Answer 4

Filtered by the kidney, damaging it

Question 5

What is particularly damaging to the kidney, causing AKI?

Answer 5

Myoglobin in high concentrations

Question 6

Signs/symptoms of rhabdomyolysis?

Answer 6

Muscle aches/pains 
Oedema 
Fatigue 
Confusion 
Red-brown urine

Question 7

Investigations for rhabdomyolysis?

Answer 7

Creatinine kinase (CK) blood test
Myoglobinuria (urine dipstick = +ve)
U&Es
ECG: hearts response to hyperkalaemia

Question 8

How long will CK be elevated for in rhabdomyolysis?

Answer 8

Rises in first 12 hours then remains elevated for 1-3 days then gradually falls

Question 9

Management of rhabdomyolysis?

Answer 9

• Suspect in patients trauma
• IV fluids
• Consider IV sodium bicarbonate
• Consider IV mannitol