CASE REPORT
Life-threatening side-effect of a popular treatment – case report
 
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1
Student’s Scientific Society at the Clinic of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University, Lublin, Poland
 
2
Clinic of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University, Lublin, Poland
 
 
Corresponding author
Łucja Nogaj   

Student’s Scientific Society at the Clinic of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University, Lublin, Poland
 
 
 
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ABSTRACT
Statins are the first-line therapy in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. One of the most commonly used statins is rosuvastatin. Its main properties include reducing cholesterol and triglyceride levels. However, it can cause side-effects, the most serious of which include rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney injury (AKI). The case is presented of a 91-year-old male with rhabdomyolysis, AKI, anuria, fluid overload and liver injury. Prior to admission to hospital, the patient reported progressively worsening pain in the lower limbs and sensory disturbances. He had undergone a contrast-enhanced imaging study in another hospital, which further aggravated kidney disfunction. The patient had been taking rosuvastatin without dose monitoring, suggesting that statinrelated rhabdomyolysis had caused his condition. This case demonstrates that advanced age, polypharmacy and contrast agents increase the risk of severe statin-related adverse events, and highlights the importance of proper monitoring during therapy.
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ISSN:1898-2395
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