title: Recognizing, diagnosing, and treating rhabdomyolysis.
abstract: Rhabdomyolysis is an acute and potentially fatal syndrome characterized by striated muscle breakdown and subsequent release of muscle cell contents into the systemic circulation. The sudden release of large quantities of potassium, calcium, organic acids, and myoglobin into the bloodstream can cause renal tubal toxicity, cardiac dysrhythmias, and death. Complications can be managed and minimized if predicted and treated early, but patients may not have classic symptoms of rhabdomyolysis and may even be asymptomatic on presentation. This article reviews the pathophysiology, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of acute rhabdomyolysis.
authors.affiliation: Henry Heard is an assistant clinical professor in the PA program at Mercer University in Atlanta, Ga. James Barker is on the hospitalist service at Emory Johns Creek Hospital in Johns Creek, Ga. The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Heard
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Barker
mesh_terms: D058186:Acute Kidney Injury; D002118:Calcium; D006801:Humans; D012206:Rhabdomyolysis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D002118:Calcium