Abstract

Myoglobinuria is the presence of myoglobin in the urine, usually associated with rhabdomyolysis or muscle destruction. Myoglobin is present in muscle cells as a reserve of oxygen.

Signs and symptoms

Signs and symptoms of myoglobinuria are usually nonspecific and needs some clinical prudence.Therefore, among the possible signs and symptoms to look for would be:

- Swollen and painful muscles

- Fever, nausea

- Delirium (elderly individuals)

- Myalgia

- Dark urine

- Calcium ions (decrease)

Causes

Trauma, vascular problems, malignant hyperthermia, certain drugs and other situations can destroy or damage the muscle, releasing myoglobin to the circulation and thus to the kidneys. Under ideal situations myoglobin will be filtered and excreted with the urine, but if too much myoglobin is released into the circulation or in case of renal problems, it can occlude the renal filtration system leading to acute tubular necrosis and acute renal insufficiency.

Other causes of myoglobinuria include:

- McArdle's disease

- Phosphofructokinase deficiency

- Carnitine palmitoyltransferase II deficiency

- Malignant hyperthermia

- Polymyositis

- Lactate dehydrogenase deficiency

- Thermal or electrical burn

Pathophysiology

Myoglobinuria pathophysiology consist of a series of metabolic actions in which damage to muscle cells affect calcium mechanisms, thereby increasing free ionized calcium (cytoplasm). This in turn affects several enzymes that are calcium dependent, thereby compromising the cell membrane, which in turn causes the release of myoglobin.

Diagnosis

After centrifuging, the serum of myoglobinuria is clear, where the serum of hemoglobinuria after centrifuge is pink to red.

Treatment

Hospitalization and IV hydration should be the first step in any patient suspected of having myoglobinuria or rhabdomyolysis. The goal is to induce a brisk diuresis to prevent myoglobin precipitation and deposition, which can cause acute kidney injury. Mannitol can be added to assist with diuresis. Adding sodium bicarbonate to the IV fluids will cause alkalinzation of the urine, believed to reduce the breakdown of myoglobin into its nephrotoxic metabolites, thus preventing renal damage. Often, IV normal saline is all that is needed to induce diuresis and alkalinize the urine.