Extensive rhabdomyolysis is often lethal unless treated immediately, owing to hypovolemic shock, hyperkalemia, acidosis and myoglobinuric acute kidney injury. In patients with rhabdomyolysis caused by muscle crush syndrome, the use of early fluid resuscitation at the scene of injury has reduced mortality from ∼100% to <20% over the past 70 years. In this article, Better and Abassi discuss the lifesaving and limb-saving potential of early vigorous fluid resuscitation in patients with extensive traumatic and nontraumatic rhabdomyolysis.
- Ori S. Better
- Zaid A. Abassi
