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Cocaine-associated rhabdomyolysis
J M Parks1, G Reed, J P Knochel
1University of Texas Southwestern School of Medicine, Dallas Parkland Memorial Hospital, Texas.
The American Journal of the Medical Sciences
|May 1, 1989
Summary
Cocaine use, including crack and intravenous forms, can cause acute rhabdomyolysis. This condition, characterized by muscle breakdown, can lead to severe complications like kidney failure and, in rare cases, death.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Nephrology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Cocaine is a potent central nervous system stimulant with known cardiovascular and neurological effects.
- Acute rhabdomyolysis is a clinical syndrome characterized by muscle breakdown and the release of intracellular contents into circulation.
Observation:
- Three male patients experienced four episodes of acute rhabdomyolysis.
- Cocaine intoxication, specifically from crack cocaine and intravenous cocaine use, was documented in all cases.
- One patient experienced recurrent rhabdomyolysis after cocaine injection and subsequent rechallenge.
Findings:
- One of the four episodes resulted in mortality due to severe hyperkalemia and ischemic bowel.
- The remaining three episodes were associated with nonoliguric renal failure.
Implications:
- This highlights a significant risk of severe muscle damage and subsequent renal complications from cocaine use.
- Clinicians should consider cocaine intoxication in the differential diagnosis for patients presenting with rhabdomyolysis.
- Awareness of these risks is crucial for harm reduction strategies and patient management.