Heroin addict with gangrene of the extremities, rhabdomyolysis and severe hyperkalemia

Heroin addict with gangrene of the extremities, rhabdomyolysis and severe hyperkalemia.

INTRODUCTION Long-time consumption of narcotics leads to altered mental status of the addict. It is also connected to damages of different organic systems and it often leads to appearance of multiple organ failure. Excessive narcotics consumption or abuse in a long time period can lead to various consequences, such as atraumatic rhabdomyolysis, acute renal failure and electrolytic disorders. Rh...

Hyperkalemia and severe rhabdomyolysis

A 47-year-old homeless man with a history of bipolar disorder and polysubstance abuse was found under a bridge with altered mental status and severe left calf pain. Evaluation in the emergency department revealed a cachectic, pale man with a blood pressure of 132/84, pulse 74, and respirations 18. He was afebrile. Oxygen saturation was 98% on room air. Examination revealed marked swelling of th...

Rhabdomyolysis-Induced Severe Hyperkalemia

A 22-year-old male was brought in by paramedics who found him unresponsive at home surrounded by drug paraphernalia. He had a blood pressure of 84/50 mm Hg; oxygen saturation of 88%; irregular pulse; and Glasgow Coma Scale of 3. His skin was cool, diaphoretic and ashen in color, except for a grossly erythematous right arm. Lab work demonstrated an initial creatine kinase of 5,414 U/L that incre...

MANAGEMENT OF SEVERE HYPERKALEMIA

Peripheral Symmetrical Gangrene of the Neonatal Extremities : A Case Report

Abstract Background Limb gangrene in neonates is an extremely rare clinical problem and very few cases have been recorded up to now. The clinical findings were mild involvement of skin to full necrosis and gangrene of the involved regions. Unfortunately, in most cases the etiology cannot be established. However, a variety of etiological causes may account for this condition. Case Presentatio...