Rhabdomyolysis.

Rhabdomyolysis is caused by the breakdown and necrosis of muscle tissue and the release of intracellular content into the blood stream. There are multiple and diverse causes of rhabdomyolysis but central to the pathophysiology is the destruction of the sarcolemmal membrane and release of intracellular components into the systemic circulation. The clinical presentation may vary, ranging from an asymptomatic increase in serum levels of enzymes released from damaged muscles to worrisome conditions such as volume depletion, metabolic and electrolyte abnormalities, and acute kidney injury (AKI).

Late conversion of tacrolimus to sirolimus in a prednisone-free immunosuppression regimen in renal transplant patients.

Background: One of the most important causes of graft loss is chronic nephrotoxicity from calcineurin inhibitors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and to assess the impact on rejection risk, graft loss and renal allograft function of converting patients from tacrolimus (Tac) to sirolimus (SRL) at one yr post-transplantation (Tx) using a prednisone-free immunosuppressive regimen.

Methods: Two hundred fifty-five kidney transplant patients were induced with Alemtuzumab and maintained on a steroid-free regimen with Tac and mycophenolate mofetil.