Incidence and outcome of rhabdomyolysis after type A aortic dissection surgery: A retrospective analysis.

Background: Rhabdomyolysis (RML) as an etiological factor causing acute kidney injury (AKI) is sparsely reported in the literature.

Aim: To study the incidence of RML after surgical repair of an ascending aortic dissection (AAD) and to correlate with the outcome, especially regarding renal function. To pinpoint the perioperative risk factors associated with the development of RML and adverse renal outcomes after aortic dissection repair.

Methods: Retrospective single-center cohort study conducted in a tertiary cardiac center. We included all patients who underwent AAD repair from 2011-2017. Post-operative RML workup is part of the institutional protocol; studied patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 with RML (creatine kinase above cut-off levels 2500 U/L) and Group 2 without RML. The potential determinants of RML and impact on patient outcome, especially postoperative renal function, were studied. Other outcome parameters studied were markers of cardiac injury, length of ventilation, length of stay in the intensive care unit), and length of hospitalization.

Results: Out of 33 patients studied, 21 patients (64%) developed RML (Group RML), and 12 did not (Group non-RML). Demographic and intraoperative factors, notably body mass index, duration of surgery, and cardiopulmonary bypass, had no significant impact on the incidence of RML. Preoperative visceral/peripheral malperfusion, though not statistically significant, was higher in the RML group. A significantly higher incidence of renal complications, including de novo postoperative dialysis, was noticed in the RML group. Other morbidity parameters were also higher in the RML group. There was a significantly higher incidence of AKI in the RML group (90%) than in the non-RML group (25%). All four patients who required de novo dialysis belonged to the RML group. The peak troponin levels were significantly higher in the RML group.

Conclusion: In this study, we noticed a high incidence of RML after aortic dissection surgery, coupled with an adverse renal outcome and the need for post-operative dialysis. Prompt recognition and management of RML might improve the renal outcome. Further large-scale prospective trials are warranted to investigate the predisposing factors and influence of RML on major morbidity and mortality outcomes.