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Rhabdomyolysis in a Patient With Coronavirus Disease 2019
Aveek Mukherjee1, Raisa Ghosh1, Ghulam Aftab2
1Internal Medicine, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School/Saint Peter's University Hospital, New Brunswick, USA.
Insights
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can cause severe complications like rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury. Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment, including hydration, are crucial for managing these life-threatening conditions.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Nephrology
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- The global emergence of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in late 2019 necessitated understanding its diverse clinical manifestations.
- Rapid diagnosis and effective management strategies are critical during the ongoing pandemic.
Observation:
- A 49-year-old male presented with fever, cough, dyspnea, and myalgia, indicative of COVID-19.
- The patient also exhibited rhabdomyolysis, characterized by significantly elevated creatine phosphokinase levels (23,800 U/L), and acute kidney injury.
Findings:
- Successful management involved aggressive intravenous hydration and correction of electrolyte imbalances.
- Creatine phosphokinase levels normalized with treatment, indicating recovery from rhabdomyolysis.
Implications:
- This case highlights the importance of considering atypical presentations of COVID-19 for prompt diagnosis.
- Recognizing and managing complications such as rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury is vital for improving patient outcomes in the pandemic.
Abstract:
Coronavirus disease 2019 has rapidly enveloped the world in a pandemic after emerging in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. We describe a 49-year-old man presenting with fever, cough, dyspnea, and myalgia diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 along with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury. The creatine phosphokinase was elevated to 23,800 U/L before trending down to normal levels. Rapid identification and treatment with aggressive intravenous hydration and correction of electrolyte abnormalities remain key to successful management. In a pandemic, often atypical presentations of this new disease have to be considered as differentials for early diagnosis and treatment of life-threatening conditions.
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