Management of shock and acute renal failure in casualties suffering from the crush syndrome.

Widespread muscle crush injury is often associated with profound hemodynamic shock and myoglobinuric acute renal failure (ARF). The main reason for the shock is rapid uptake by the injured muscles of a substantial portion of extracellular fluid. The shock is aggravated by NO-dependent vasodilation in the injured muscles and by hyperkalemia and hypocalcemia, which suppress the entire cardiovascular tree. Treatment consists of early massive volume replacement and forced alkaline solute (mannitol) diuresis. With this regimen it is possible to increase survival of life and limbs, and prevent myoglobinuric ARF. Our preliminary experience suggests that i.v. hypertonic mannitol is protective also to the injured muscle and can be used as a noninvasive adjunct in the management of compartment syndrome in man. Moreover, by preserving muscular integrity, mannitol can conceivable reduce leakage of the nephrotoxic myoglobin and urate and thus further defend kidney function.