Crush syndrome


Crush syndrome also called compression syndrome, is a condition caused by massive compression of soft tissues, especially muscles, resulting in rhabdomyolysis (destruction of muscles), edemas and a risk of hyperkalemia. Myoglobin is released from the injured muscles and causes a severe kidney damage and acute renal failure. This algorithm describes treatment of a patient suffering from crush syndrome, step by step, beginning from the lay first aid up to the final care in hospital.

2016
crush syndrome
myoglobinuria
hyperkalemia
Published at: 28.4.2016

Review

Pavel Mach, MD, PhD
Chief Consultant, Department of Traumatology, University Hospital Brno, Czech Republic

Crush injuries are quite common and serious and implementation of proper treatment is crucial for a good outcome of their healing. This algorithm shows progress of a typical injury from its beginning. Already the first steps will lead the solver to the proper course of treatment and to thinking about possible complications. Each step  provides appropriate decisions on further actions. While solving, the student is led not only to steps "apparent at first glance", but also to assess at the same time the overall condition of the patient and prevention of complications potentially following from an inadequate procedure. Emphasis is placed on the use of all modern medical procedures. After correct resolving the student acquires an insight into the complexity of that type of injury. And this is an invaluable advantage in real contact with such situation.

Sources

WOLFSON, Allan. Clinical practice of emergency medicine. 5. vyd. Philadelphia : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2010. 1860 s. ISBN 978-0-7817-8943-1

DOBIÁŠ, Viliam. Prednemocničná urgentná medicína.  2. vyd. Martin : Vydavateľstvo Osveta, spol. s.r.o., 2012. 734 s. ISBN 978-80-8063-387-5

ŠEVČÍK, Pavel. Intenzivní medicína. 3. vyd. Praha : Galén, 2014. 1196 s. ISBN 978-80-7492-066-0

Neurologie pro praxi: Rabdomyolýza, c.2015 (cit. 2015-10-18). Dostupné na :  http://www.neurologiepropraxi.cz/artkey/neu-201204-0006_Rhabdomyolyza.php

Internimedicina : Zvýšená hladina kreatinkinázy, 2012; 14(8 a 9): 322–326. Dostupné na: http://www.internimedicina.cz/pdfs/int/2012/09/07.pdf

Solen : REPETITÓRIUM URGENTNEJ MEDICÍNY Syndróm zmliaždenia tkanív – rabdomyolýza, 2006, roč. 3(5): 262–263. Dostupné na: http://www.solen.sk/index.php?page=pdf_view&pdf_id=1456&magazine_id=1

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