Rhabdomyolysis and the use of sodium bicarbonate and/or mannitol
Date First Published:
August 11, 2009
Last Updated:
April 29, 2010
Report by:
Rachel Thomas, medical student, fourth year (Oregon Health and Science University)
Search checked by:
Jessi Cox, Oregon Health and Science University
Three-Part Question:
In [patient's with rhabdomyolysis and a CKMB >10,000] does the use of [iv sodium bicarbonate] [decrease morbidity]?
Clinical Scenario:
A 36-year-old man presents to the emergency department following ingesting one bottle of OTC diphenhydramine. A friend found the patient down with the empty bottle next to him. The patient was last seen in his normal state of health over 24 hours before his discovery. In the ED, the patient is awake, has a GCS of 14, but is extremely agitated. He also exhibits anti-cholinergic signs and symptoms, such as tachycardia to 118, mydriasis, flushing, absence of perspiration, dry mouth, and decreased bowel sounds The patient was given benzodiazepines for his agitation and started on IV normal saline. The patient had a BMP completed, as well as a CKMB. The patient had a Creatinine of 2.6, elevated from previous data from 0.9 and a CKMB of 38,000. During his treatment, his CKMB continued to elevate to 43, 000 and his renal function continued to decline, reaching a Creatinine of 3.1. An EKG showed tachycardia and NSR. You have heard of sodium bicarbonate use and mannitol use in the treatment of rhabdomyolysis, but you wonder if there is any data supporting their use and if they have been found to decrease morbidity, such as acute renal failure.
Search Strategy:
Medline 1950 ‑ Nov week 3 2009 using the Ovid interface.
Search Details:
[(rhabdomyolysis.mp. or exp Rhabdomyolysis) AND (sodium bicarbonate.mp. or exp Sodium Bicarbonate or alkalin$.mp. or diuresis.mp. or exp Diuresis or mannitol.mp. or exp Mannitol)].
Outcome:
Altogether, 256 papers were found. Three were relevant to the question
Relevant Paper(s):
| Study Title | Patient Group | Study type (level of evidence) | Outcomes | Key results | Study Weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preventing Renal Failure in Patients with Rhabdomyolysis: Do Bicarbonate and Mannitol Make a Difference? Brown, Carlos, Rhee, Peter, Chan, Linda, et al. 2004 USA | All trauma patients in a surgical ICU over 5 years reviewed, patient’s were divided into groups, CK <5,000, CK>5,000. The CK group >5,000 had 382 people, 154 received bicarbonate and mannitol (BIC/MAN group), 228 received NS (NS group). Group division was determined at the surgeon’s discretion | Retrospective review | Rate of renal failure | 22% BIC/MAN vs 18% NS p=0.27 | Retrospective review Division of patient’s into the BIC/MAN group v. NS group was not randomized. No strict guidelines for when to initiate and maintain BIC/MAN therapy, all up to surgeon’s discretion BIC/MAN had higher CK’s on average (23,492 +/- 38,336 v. 9,819 +/- 7,586) Small sample size of patient’s with high CK levels, may have contributed to lack of statistical significant improvements in the >30,000 CK BIC/MAN group |
| Rate of dialysis | 7% BIC/MAN vs 6% NS p=0.57 | ||||
| Rate of mortality (all in patients with CK >5000) | 15% BIC/MAN vs 18% p=0.37 | ||||
| Prophylaxis of acute renal failure in patients with rhabdomyolysis Homsi E, Fernanda M, Barreiro L, et al. 1997, Brazil | 24 patients with rhabdomyolysis (CK >500 Ui/L) were treated prophylactically to prevent acute renal failure. There was a treatment group of 9 who got only NS (S), and a group of 15 who got NS, mannitol and bicarbonate (S+M+B). | Retrospective analysis | Fall in serum creatinine | Rate was the same in both groups | Small number Retrospective analysis Patients with renal failure were excluded, as were delayed ITU admissions Maximum CK values were measured earlier in the S+M+B group |
| In hospital mortality | 4/15 in S+M+B group. 2/9 in NS group | ||||
| The effect of combining intermittent hemodiafiltration with forced alkaline diuresis on plasma myoglobin in rhabdomyolysis. Peltonen S, Ahlstrom A, Kylavainio V, et al. 2007, Finland | 12 patients with rhabdomyolysis randomised to receive either sodium bicarbonate 1.4% with 1000 ml NS per h, or to receive haemodiafiltration and alkaline diuresis for 4 h. The groups then swapped over |
Prospective controlled crossover study | Absolute decrease in plasma myoglobin over time | Greater decrease in plasma myoglobin levels when groups were treated with both alkaline diuresis and haemodiafiltration. Difference not statistically significant | Study underpowered Crossover study Alkaline diuresis was used in this case as the control |
Author Commentary:
There are minimal data addressing the use of bicarbonate and/or mannitol as a treatment in rhabdomyolysis.
Bottom Line:
There is no quality published evidence that alkaline diuresis is a superior treatment to normal saline alone.
Level of Evidence:
Level 3: Small numbers of small studies or great heterogeneity or very different population
References:
- Brown, Carlos, Rhee, Peter, Chan, Linda, et al. . Preventing Renal Failure in Patients with Rhabdomyolysis: Do Bicarbonate and Mannitol Make a Difference?
- Homsi E, Fernanda M, Barreiro L, et al.. Prophylaxis of acute renal failure in patients with rhabdomyolysis
- Peltonen S, Ahlstrom A, Kylavainio V, et al.. The effect of combining intermittent hemodiafiltration with forced alkaline diuresis on plasma myoglobin in rhabdomyolysis.