Morning Report: 7/31/2012

Today’s morning report comes courtesy of Dr. Lau.

It begins with the following case presentation:

 

22 yo m with no pmh BIBEMS for syncope c/o nausea, fatigue, and generalized myalgias.

Pt states just returned from a trip to Miami where he was enrolled at a training bootcamp for 2 days and was sunburnt on the beach.

 

Exam:

Vitals stable, afebrile

Alert and oriented

Mostly 1st degree burns on chest wall

 

Any thoughts so far?

Keep reading below for lab results and the conclusion:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Labs:

CK: 26000

UA: +myoglobin

K, Cr normal

 

Dx: Rhabdomyolysis

–       Disruption of calcium homeostasis of muscle cell

  • Direct cell membrane damage
    • Trauma, hereditary, biochemical -> direct Ca influx
  • ATP depletion
    • Increased intracell Ca by disrupting Na/K ATPase -> triggers apoptosis, cell death

–       Most common presentations

  • Prolonged immobilization e.g. old people who fall at home
  • Intoxication esp. sympathomimetics, alcohol
  • Altered mental status esp. agitated delirium

–       Less common

  • Also remember that many pharmaceuticals, eg. Statins, neuroleptics, antihistamines…
  • Crush injuries, compartment syndrome
  • Excessive muscular activity (marathon runners, prisoners wanting a hospital vacation does 2000 squats to get rhabdo, now boon of “boot camps” and crossfit)
  • ….

–       Labs

  • Elevated CK
  • Myoglobin in urine
  • HyperK, Hyperphos, early hypoCa, late hyperCa
  • Increased BUN and Cr but decreased BUN:Cr due to release of Cr from muscle, normal 10:1, can be 5:1 in rhabdo

–       EKG – look for signs of hyper K

–       Early complications

  • Electrolyte abnormalities -> dysrhymias
  • Hypovolemia – likely already dehydrated, but damaged muscle -> fluid sequestration -> intravasc volume depletion

–       Late

  • Renal due to myoglobin cast and direct cytotoxic effects of myoglobin

–       Treat

  • Aggressive volume expansion
    • Delayed fluid resus -> develop acute renal failure (in fact, pts in mass casualty events – initiate fluid resus before complete extrication)
  • Urine alkalinization controversial
    • Based on animal data that myoglobin precipitation increased in acidic urine
    • Not shown to impact outcomes in humans
    • NS with 1 amp sodium bicarb at 100 ml/h – but look out for hypoCa
  • Mannitol controversial, no benefits shown – osmotic diuretic thought to increase urine flow therefore reduce myoglobin cast obstruction of renal tubules
  • Furosemide if pt is oliguric but must only do so after assuring adequate intravasc volume
  • Renal replacement therapy if uncorrectable metabolic acidosis, life-threatening hyperK, renal failure

 

Thanks Dr. Lau!

The views expressed on this blog are the author's own and do not reflect the views of their employer. Please read our full disclaimer here. Any references to clinical cases refer to patients treated at a virtual hospital, Janus General Hospital.
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Jay Khadpe MD

Editor in Chief of "The Original Kings of County" Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine Assistant Residency Director SUNY Downstate / Kings County Hospital

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