Rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury in severe COVID-19 infection

Abstract

We report the case of a 38-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with fever, myalgia, nausea, vomiting, dry cough, breathlessness and abdominal pain. He was admitted due to hypoxaemia and was diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 and was subsequently referred to the intensive care unit for intubation and mechanical ventilation. Severe rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury developed 4 days later and were suspected after noticing discolouration of the urine and a marked increase in plasma myoglobin levels. Treatment included hydration, forced diuresis and continuous renal replacement therapy. In addition to the coronavirus disease acute respiratory distress syndrome, he was diagnosed with possible SARS-CoV-2-induced myositis with severe rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure. The patient survived and was discharged from intensive care after 12 days, returning home 23 days after hospitalisation, fully mobilised with a partially restored kidney function.