Crush syndrome is a life-threatening complication of traumatic injury caused by compressive force, which can lead to muscle death and toxic chemical release. Symptoms include weakness, rapid breathing, and low blood pressure. Treatment involves immediate medical care and monitoring, including flushing toxins from the kidneys and potentially amputating damaged body parts.
Crush syndrome is a potentially life-threatening complication of a traumatic injury in which a part of the body is subjected to compressive force for an extended period of time. Building collapses, natural disasters, serious traffic accidents and other scenarios can leave a person trapped under heavy rubble. When a part of the body is crushed, the muscles are deprived of oxygen and begin to die. Damaged cells release toxic chemicals into the bloodstream that can cause shock, cardiac arrest, and irreversible kidney damage. Crush syndrome must be recognized and treated immediately after rescue to provide the best chance of recovery.
A person is more likely to have crush syndrome if a large part of the body, such as an arm or leg, becomes pinched for more than an hour. Muscle fibers deprived of oxygen break down and release potassium, myoglobin, and other substances into nearby blood vessels. When the crushing force is removed, those chemicals enter the circulation and travel throughout the body. The sudden increase in blood potassium levels can disrupt the heart rhythm and possibly lead to cardiac arrest. Myoglobin is toxic to the kidneys and can lead to total kidney failure.
Symptoms of crush syndrome can vary depending on the nature of the traumatic event and the extent of the injury. Many patients respond, albeit in great pain, when they are initially treated. As toxic chemicals enter their circulation in the minutes and hours after a rescue, their condition can rapidly deteriorate. Extreme weakness, rapid breathing, and mental confusion are common. A person can drift in and out of consciousness and show signs of very low blood pressure. Emergency medical care and constant monitoring of vital signs are essential whenever crush syndrome is suspected.
Treatment for crush syndrome usually begins as soon as a patient is rescued. Rescuers are trained to provide life-saving oxygen therapy, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and other treatment measures until the patient arrives at the hospital. Once hospitalized, doctors examine blood and urine samples for unusual amounts of myoglobin and potassium and evaluate the patient’s general condition. Intravenous fluids and diuretics are usually given to flush toxins from the kidneys and reduce the chances of kidney failure. If necessary, a defibrillator is used to restart the heart or return it to a normal rhythm.
Most patients suffering from crush syndrome have to stay in the hospital for several days so that doctors can monitor their condition. Injuries to bones, muscles, and other structures are treated appropriately with medications or surgery. In severe damage, a part of the body may need to be amputated to prevent further complications. With ongoing care and physical therapy, many people are able to fully recover from their injuries.
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