Sudden rhabdomyolysis in an elderly patient after single atorvastatin dose: The need for early and frequent creatine kinase monitoring in high-risk patients

Abstract

An 80-year-old patient with diabetes mellitus, chronic bronchitis, and chronic heart failure presented with pain in the right calf after one dose of atorvastatin. Significant increases in creatine kinase, myoglobin, and potassium levels were also observed. Based on the symptoms and laboratory results, the patient was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis. Older patients with co-morbidities may have a higher risk of statin-associated myopathy. However, there is currently no recommendation for creatine kinase monitoring in this population. This case emphasizes the need to identify high-risk populations and provide early and more frequent creatine kinase measurements to help avoid statin-associated myopathy.