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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