Rhabdomyolysis

A condition where skeletal muscle tissue breaks down and releases breakdown products into the blood, usually triggered by an event that causes the muscle to break down e.g. extreme underuse or overuse or a traumatic injury

Aetiology

• Anything that causes significant damage to muscle cells can cause rhabdomyolysis:
• Prolonged immobility, particularly frail patients that fall and spend time on the floor before being found
• Extremely rigorous exercise beyond the person’s fitness level (e.g. ultramaraton, triathalon, crossfit competition)
• Crush injuries
• Seizures

Pathophysiology

• The muscle cells (myocytes) undergo apoptosis which results in muscle cells releasing:
• Myoglobin (causing myoglobinurea)
• Potassium - the most immediately dangerous breakdown product as hyperkalaemia can cause arrhymias
• Phosphate
• Creatine kinase

Clinical presentation

• Muscle aches and pain

• Oedema

• Fatigue

• Confusion (particularly in elderly frail patients)

• Red-brown urine

Investigations

• Raised creatine kinase

• Urine - red-brown colour due to myoglobinurea, will be positive for blood

• U&Es for AKI and hyperkalaemia

• ECG is important in assessing the heart’s response to hyperkalaemia

Management

• IV fluids are the mainstay of treatment

Complications

• Arrhythmias

• Acute renal failure - breakdown products of the myocytes are toxic to the kidneys, particularly myoglobin

• DIC