Role of continuous renal replacement therapy in severe rhabdomyolysis with multiple organ failure due to methandriol abuse

Sa？etak Continuous methods of renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in the treatment of acute kidney failure gained popularity in past years in the intensive care units. Compared to conventional methods (intermittent hemodialysis), they offer more hemodynamic stability, achievement of electrolytes and body fluids homeostasis, and have options for blood purification and controlling body temperature simultaneously. All these advantages make them the preferred method for the treatment of acute kidney injury in patients who are hemodynamically unstable with multiorgan failure from any cause. In this case report we describe a previously healthy 46–year-old man who came in the intensive care unit in the comatose state, hemodynamically unstable, with anuria and acute respiratory failure. The initial laboratory results showed rhabdomyolysis, acute renal failure, severe metabolic acidosis and hyperkalemia. According to the clinical examination and laboratory tests, he was critically ill with multiorgan failure and systemic inflammatory response synsrom due tu an trigger. Acute intoxication with an unknown substance was suspected. He was mechanically ventilated, with fluid resuscitation and high doses of vasopressors for the maintenance of perfusion pressures. Despite the initial treatment, hemodynamic instability, anuria and acute renal failure persisted with the worsening of clinical picture and control laboratory tests. We started continuous renal replacement therapy for seven days trying to find the cause for his clinical condition. Combination of heteroanamnesis with target toxicology diagnostic tests found that the use of anabolic steroids might have triggered rhabdomyolysis with acute renal failure. After few days he was fully awake, spontaneously breathing, circulatory stable with the return to normal renal function and diuresis. Control laboratory results returned to normal values. He was discharged from intensive care unit after ten days. Continuous methods of renal replacement therapy are a valuable method for the management of acute kidney failur