A "crush" course on rhabdomyolysis: risk stratification and clinical management update for the perioperative clinician.

Rhabdomyolysis, the release of myoglobin and other cellular breakdown products from necrotic muscle tissue, is seen in patients with crush injuries, drug overdose, malignant hyperthermia, muscular dystrophy, and with increasing frequency in obese patients undergoing routine procedures. For the perioperative clinician, managing the resultant shock, hyperkalemia, acidosis, and myoglobinuric acute kidney injury can present a significant challenge. Prompt recognition, hydration, and correction of metabolic disturbances may reduce or eliminate the need for long-term renal replacement therapy. This article reviews the pathophysiology and discusses key issues in the perioperative diagnosis, risk stratification, and management of rhabdomyolysis.

Platelet transfusion as treatment for factor V deficiency in the parturient: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Congenital factor V deficiency, also called parahemophilia, is a rare hematological disorder that can be treated with platelet transfusion. CASE PRESENTATION: A 27-year-old G2P0100 with factor V deficiency was admitted for induction of labor and requested labor epidural analgesia. Throughout her hospital course, factor V levels were managed per recommendation from her hematologist, which included transfusing fresh frozen plasma (FFP) to maintain a factor V level of 50% before any neuraxial technique and 40% for postpartum hemostasis. The parturient required multiple transfusions of FFP to stay at this level, which eventually resulted in pulmonary edema. Given the request to maintain high levels of factor V, the parturient was transfused with platelets as an alternative source of factor V. The parturient eventually delivered a healthy neonate without signs of postpartum hemorrhage or epidural hematoma. CONCLUSION: A major learning point from this case is that platelet transfusion is an effective alternative in the management of factor V deficiency. Factor V released by platelets has enhanced procoagulant function, resulting in local factor V concentrations 100 times more than that of plasma, and has a significantly extended half-life. Platelet transfusion should be considered as a therapy in treating parturients with factor V deficiency.