[Plasma myoglobin and continuous hemofiltration in patients with rhabdomyolysis and acute kidney failure].

Plasma and filtrate levels of myoglobin, specific antibodies and immune complexes were measured by radioimmunoassay or enzyme immunoassay in patients with rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure on continuous hemofiltration (CHF). 14 of them had crush syndrome, 7 had other forms of rhabdomyolysis. 11 patients died (52%) because of the underlying disease or its complications. Rhabdomyolysis was associated with marked and long-lasting myoglobinemia. Early amputation and restoration of diuresis combined with CHF resulted in a fall in myoglobin content. CHF provided elimination of large amounts of myoglobin with filtrate. In rhabdomyolysis in all cases there appeared specific antibodies and circulating immune complexes.