Myoglobinuric acute renal failure following electrical injury.
Eight patients with acute renal failure (ARF) following electrical injury were studied. The mean area of cutaneous burns was 23 +/- 16% (range 6-60%) and extensive tissue necrosis with gangrene was uniformly present. Oliguria developed 9.3 +/- 7 h (range 3-24 h) after the injury in 7 patients (88%). Urinalysis revealed presence of myoglobin in 75% of the patients. The mean duration of oliguria among those who recovered was 16 +/- 6 days (range 11-23 days) and the mean interval between the onset of oliguria and recovery of renal function was 25 +/- 6 days (range 21-34 days). Four patients died. The cause of death was Klebsiella septicemia in 1, hyperkalemia associated with extensive myonecrosis in 2 patients, and uncertain in 1 patient. Our observations showed that myoglobinuric acute renal failure associated with electrical injury carries a high mortality. Early detection and aggressive management of hyperkalemia and sepsis are necessary to reduce mortality among these patients.
Gupta
K L
KL
Department of Nephrology, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research Chandigarh, India.
Kumar
R
R
Sekhar
M S
MS
Sakhuja
V
V
Chugh
K S
KS
D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000209:etiology*; D000328:Adult; D004556:Electric Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009212:Myoglobinuria / Q000209:etiology*