Bench-to-bedside review: Rhabdomyolysis – an overview for clinicians

doi:10.1186/cc2978

Critical Care
Volume 9
Issue 2

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Varon J
Marik PE

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Review

Bench-to-bedside review: Rhabdomyolysis – an overview for clinicians

Ana L Huerta-Alardín¹, Joseph Varon² and Paul E Marik³

¹Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas School of Medicine, Tampico, México

²The University of Texas Health Science Center and St Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Houston, Texas, USA

³Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA

author email corresponding author email

Critical Care 2005, 9:158-169doi:10.1186/cc2978


Published:	20 October 2004

Abstract

Rhabdomyolysis ranges from an asymptomatic illness with elevation in the creatine kinase level to a life-threatening condition associated with extreme elevations in creatine kinase, electrolyte imbalances, acute renal failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation. Muscular trauma is the most common cause of rhabdomyolysis. Less common causes include muscle enzyme deficiencies, electrolyte abnormalities, infectious causes, drugs, toxins and endocrinopathies. Weakness, myalgia and tea-colored urine are the main clinical manifestations. The most sensitive laboratory finding of muscle injury is an elevated plasma creatine kinase level. The management of patients with rhabdomyolysis includes early vigorous hydration.