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This study investigated in-hospital outcomes and related factors in patients diagnosed with postearthquake crush syndrome after the earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş, Türkiye. One thousand twenty-four adult patients diagnosed with crush syndrome were analyzed. Data on demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, laboratory values, treatments, and outcomes were collected. A total of 9.8% of patients died during their hospital stay. Nonsurvivors were generally older, more likely to have preexisting chronic kidney disease, and faced more severe injuries and complications, including hypotension-shock, arrhythmias, elevated markers of renal dysfunction, and higher rates of acute kidney injury (AKI) and compartment syndrome. In addition, intensive care unit needs were higher. Multivariate analysis confirmed that age, injury severity, shock, high potassium, uric acid, and lactate levels on admission, development of AKI, compartment syndrome, and intensive care unit admission were significant predictors of mortality. Better disaster preparedness and improved health care infrastructure could be potential explanations for improved in-hospital mortality in the current era, as compared to previous earthquakes., (Copyright © 2024 International Society of Nephrology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Orthopedic injuries, especially fractures of long bones as well as multiple fractures and comminuted fractures, are very common after destructive disasters (e.g., earthquakes, wars, and hurricanes). Another frequent problem is traumatic rhabdomyolysis, which may result in crush syndrome, the second most frequent cause of death after direct traumatic impact following earthquakes. To improve outcomes, interventions should be initiated even before extrication of the victims, which include maintenance of airway patency and spine stabilization, stopping traumatic bleeding by any means, and initiating fluid resuscitation. On-site amputations have been extensively debated to liberate the victims if the release of trapped limbs is impossible. Early after the rescue, a primary survey and triage are performed, a fluid resuscitation policy is planned, complications are treated, the wounds are decontaminated, and the victim is transported to specialized hospitals. A triage and primary survey are also performed at admission to the hospitals, which are followed by a secondary survey, physical, laboratory, and imaging examinations. Washing and cleaning of the soft-tissue injuries and debridement in open, necrotic wounds are vital. Applications of fasciotomies and amputations are controversial since they are associated with both benefits and serious complications; therefore, clear indications should be defined. Crush syndrome has been described as the presence of systemic manifestations following traumatic rhabdomyolysis, the most important component of which is acute kidney injury that may contribute to fatal hyperkalemia. The overall mortality rate is around 20% in crushed patients, which underlines the importance of prevention. Treatment includes maintaining of fluid electrolyte and acid-base balance, application of dialysis, and also prevention and treatment of complications. The principles and practices in disaster medicine may differ from those applied in routine practice; therefore, organizing repeated training courses may be helpful to provide the most effective healthcare and to save as many lives as possible after mass disasters.

Patients with kidney disease, especially those with kidney failure, are particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of disasters because their survival depends on functional infrastructure, advanced technology, the availability of specific drugs and well-trained medical personnel. The risk of poor outcomes across the entire spectrum of patients with kidney diseases (acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease and kidney failure on dialysis or with a functioning transplant) increases as a result of disaster-related logistical challenges. Patients who are displaced face even more complex problems owing to additional threats that arise during travel and after reaching their new location. Overall, risks may be mitigated by pre-disaster preparedness and training. Emergency kidney disaster responses depend on the type and severity of the disaster and include medical and/or surgical treatment of injuries, treatment of mental health conditions, appropriate diet and logistical interventions. After a disaster, patients should be evaluated for problems that were not detected during the event, including those that may have developed as a result of the disaster. A retrospective review of the disaster response is vital to prevent future mistakes. Important ethical concerns include fair distribution of limited resources and limiting harm. Patients with kidney disease, their care-givers, health-care providers and authorities should be trained to respond to the medical and logistical problems that occur during disasters to improve outcomes., (© 2023. Springer Nature Limited.)

During conflicts, people with kidney disease, either those remaining in the affected zones or those who are displaced, may be exposed to additional threats because of medical and logistical challenges. Acute kidney injury developing on the battlefield, in field hospitals or in higher-level hospital settings is characterized by poor outcomes. People with chronic kidney disease may experience treatment interruptions, contributing to worsening kidney function. Patients living on dialysis or with a functioning graft may experience limitations of dialysis possibilities or availability of immunosuppressive medications, increasing the risk of severe complications including death. When patients must flee, these threats are compounded by unhealthy and insecure conditions both during displacement and/or at their destination. Measures to attenuate these risks may only be partially effective. Local preparedness for overall and medical/kidney-related disaster response is essential. Due to limitations in supply, adjustments in dialysis frequency or dose, switching between hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis and changes in immunosuppressive regimens may be required. Telemedicine (if possible) may be useful to support inexperienced local physicians in managing medical and logistical challenges. Limited treatment possibilities during warfare may necessitate referral of patients to distant higher-level hospitals, once urgent care has been initiated. Preparation for disasters should occur ahead of time. Inclusion of disaster nephrology in medical and nursing curricula and training of patients, families and others on self-care and medical practice in austere settings may enhance awareness and preparedness, support best practices adapted to the demanding circumstances and prepare non-professionals to lend support., (© The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the ERA.)

Following disasters, children are physically, psychologically and socially more vulnerable than adults; consequently, their morbidity and mortality are higher. The risks are especially high for orphans and unaccompanied children who are separated from their families, making them frequently victims of human trafficking, slavery, drug addiction, crime or sexual exploitation. Education of children and families about disaster-related risks and providing special protection in disaster preparedness plans may mitigate these threats. Kidney disease patients, both paediatric and adult, are extra vulnerable during disasters, because their treatment is dependent on technology and functioning infrastructure. Acute kidney injury, chronic kidney disease patients not on dialysis and dialysis and transplant patients are faced with extensive problems. Overall, similar treatment principles apply both for adults and paediatric kidney patients, but management of children is more problematic, because of substantial medical and logistic difficulties. To minimize drawbacks, it is vital to be prepared for renal disasters. Preparedness plans should address not only medical professionals, but also patients and their families. If problems cannot be coped with locally, calling for national and/or international help is mandatory. This paper describes the spectrum of disaster-related problems in children and the specific features in treating acute and chronic kidney disease in disasters.

Besides loss of life and property, natural disasters result in a number of renal challenges, either by the creation of rhabdomyolysis and crush-induced acute kidney injury or by the destruction of existing dialysis facilities, leaving chronic dialysis patients and kidney transplanted patients without access to their regular dialysis, medications, or medical care. This review describes the organization and the many international interventions of the International Society of Nephrology Renal Disaster Relief Task Force over the past 2 decades. The close cooperation of the Task Force with an experienced nongovernmental organization, Médecins sans Frontières, allowed specific focus on renal problems by removing a number of organizational and logistical concerns related to disaster relief, which frequently have hampered operations in the past. After major earthquakes, adequate and early fluid resuscitation and supervising and applying acute hemodialysis in crush-induced acute kidney injury were the cornerstones of the interventions. In other disasters such as tornadoes or major floods, logistic and medical difficulties in disaster conditions and the need for implementation of a renal disaster relief preparedness program are underlined. The future role of a restructured task force in providing emergency disaster relief and the required logistical support is outlined., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is frequent during wars and other man-made disasters, and contributes significantly to the overall death toll. War-related AKI may develop as a result of polytrauma, traumatic bleeding and hypovolemia, chemical and airborne toxin exposure, and crush syndrome. Thus, prerenal, intrinsic renal, or postrenal AKI may develop at the battlefield, in field hospitals, or tertiary care centers, resulting not only from traumatic, but also nontraumatic, etiologies. The prognosis usually is unfavorable because of systemic and polytrauma-related complications and suboptimal therapeutic interventions. Measures for decreasing the risk of AKI include making preparations for foreseeable disasters, and early management of polytrauma-related complications, hypovolemia, and other pathogenetic mechanisms. Transporting casualties initially to field hospitals, and afterward to higher-level health care facilities at the earliest convenience, is critical. Other man-made disasters also may cause AKI; however, the number of patients is mostly lower and treatment possibilities are broader than in war. If there is no alternative other than prolonged field care, the medical community must be prepared to offer health care and even perform dialysis in austere conditions, which in that case, is the only option to decrease the death toll resulting from AKI., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The ERA-EDTA 52nd Congress was held in London, 28-31 May 2015. In the scientific programme, overall, during the symposium, there were 18 lectures, 3 minilectures, 15 free communications and 135 poster presentations on acute kidney injury (AKI). Among many excellent reports and presentations, I selected three hot topics on AKI for the readership of Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation., (© The Author 2016. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of ERA-EDTA. All rights reserved.)

Disasters result in a substantial number of renal challenges, either by the creation of crush injury in victims trapped in collapsed buildings or by the destruction of existing dialysis facilities, leaving chronic dialysis patients without access to their dialysis units, medications, or medical care. Over the past two decades, lessons have been learned from the response to a number of major natural disasters that have impacted significantly on crush-related acute kidney injury and chronic dialysis patients. In this paper we review the pathophysiology and treatment of the crush syndrome, as summarized in recent clinical recommendations for the management of crush syndrome. The importance of early fluid resuscitation in preventing acute kidney injury is stressed, logistic difficulties in disaster conditions are described, and the need for an implementation of a renal disaster relief preparedness program is underlined. The role of the Renal Disaster Relief Task Force in providing emergency disaster relief and the logistical support required is outlined. In addition, the importance of detailed education of chronic dialysis patients and renal unit staff in the advance planning for such disasters and the impact of displacement by disasters of chronic dialysis patients are discussed.

Background: The term acute kidney injury (AKI) and its classification in strata defined as Risk, Injury, Failure, Loss and End-stage renal failure (RIFLE) need to be validated in different patient groups. RIFLE may be useful to foresee medical and logistic problems in crush-related AKI in disaster victims., Methods: Taken from the Marmara earthquake crush database, the subjects included 416 patients who were categorized according to the modified RIFLE criteria and 18 victims with crush injury but with normal serum creatinine who served as controls. Associations between each RIFLE category and various parameters were investigated., Results: There were 27, 79 and 310 patients in the risk, injury and failure groups, respectively. Urine volume and serum albumin were lower; blood pressure, blood urea nitrogen, serum uric acid, potassium and phosphorus were higher; oliguric and polyuric periods were longer; medical complications were more frequent; and number of transfusions, dialysis sessions and days of dialysis support were higher in more severe AKI categories. Glomerular filtration rate at discharge was progressively lower in proportion to the severity of RIFLE classification. However, survival outcome did not differ among controls and patients who suffered from AKI nor in between RIFLE categories., Conclusions: In disaster crush victims, RIFLE classification can be useful to foresee the medical complications, need for therapeutic interventions and logistic support and also renal function at discharge though, perhaps, not survival.

The response of the nephrological community to the Haiti and Chile earthquakes which occurred in the first months of 2010 is described. In Haiti, renal support was organized by the Renal Disaster Relief Task Force (RDRTF) of the International Society of Nephrology (ISN) in close collaboration with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), and covered both patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) and patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The majority of AKI patients (19/27) suffered from crush syndrome and recovered their kidney function. The remaining 8 patients with AKI showed acute-to-chronic renal failure with very low recovery rates. The intervention of the RDRTF-ISN involved 25 volunteers of 9 nationalities, lasted exactly 2 months, and was characterized by major organizational difficulties and problems to create awareness among other rescue teams regarding the availability of dialysis possibilities. Part of the Haitian patients with AKI reached the Dominican Republic (DR) and received their therapy there. The nephrological community in the DR was able to cope with this extra patient load. In both Haiti and the DR, dialysis treatment was able to be prevented in at least 40 patients by screening and adequate fluid administration. Since laboratory facilities were destroyed in Port-au-Prince and were thus lacking during the first weeks of the intervention, the use from the very beginning on of a point-of-care device (i-STAT®) was very efficient for the detection of aberrant kidney function and electrolyte parameters. In Chile, nephrological problems were essentially related to difficulties delivering dialysis treatment to CKD patients, due to the damage to several units. This necessitated the reallocation of patients and the adaptation of their schedules. The problems could be handled by the local nephrologists. These observations illustrate that local and international preparedness might be life-saving if renal problems occur in earthquake circumstances., (Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

On 6 April 2009, an earthquake struck the city of L'Aquila and the surrounding Abruzzo mountains. The disaster left 66,000 people homeless, while 1500 were wounded and 298 died. Although Europe as a whole is not so often affected by massive earthquakes, Italy is an exception with 12 earthquakes with an intensity >6.0 on the Richter scale during the last 100 years. This article offers preliminary information on the L'Aquila earthquake. For the time being, nine AKI patients who needed dialysis treatment are known. In all of them, kidney function recovered. This positive result can be attributed to the efficient and intensive rescue efforts coupled to the availability of disaster plans that had been developed in advance. This article stresses the importance of (i) advance planning of disaster rescue; (ii) the inclusion in these plans of approaches for kidney problems and their complications; (iii) the formulation of recommendations supporting (para-)medical professionals in their preventive, therapeutic and logistic approach to massive incidences of crush.

Aims: There are not enough data about the type of the membrane that should be used in acute intermittent hemodialysis (IHD) in patients with crush syndrome where intradialytic complication rate is high. The effects of dialyzers on outcome have been investigated in this study., Methods: Patients who required IHD due to crush syndrome after a big earthquake that struck Marmara in 1999 have been studied. Hemodynamic and biochemical analyses at the time of admission were examined. The patients were divided into three groups according to the type of dialyzers (viz., hemophan, polysulfone, and combined)., Results: Forty-five patients were included in the study (mean age: 33.9 +/- 13.3 years, mean HD session per patient: 8.8 +/- 6.1). In all, 408 dialyzers were used during IHD therapy (21% hemophan). The types of dialyzers used were hemophan (8 patients), polysulfone (18 patients), and the combination of the two (19 patients). The demographic and biochemical parameters related to crush syndrome were not different statistically. All sessions were anticoagulant-free. Hypotension and coagulation of sets were the main intradialytic complications. Five (11%) patients died, but there was no correlation between mortality rates and the type of the dialyzer used. Serum albumin, blood pressure, and thrombocyte counts were found to be related to mortality., Conclusion: No effect of the type of dialysis membrane on outcome was detected in patients with crush syndrome. Other potential factors, which may responsible for the complications and mortality, should be investigated.

Rhabdomyolysis is the disintegration of striated muscles resulting in the release of muscular cell contents into the extracellular fluid. Crush syndrome is systemic manifestations caused by rhabdomyolysis; the most important component of crush syndrome is acute kidney injury. Non-physical and physical causes play a role in the aetiology of rhabdomyolysis. Clinical spectrum varies from asymptomatic elevation in creatine kinase to acute tubular necrosis and multiorgan failure. Myoglobinuria, increased serum creatine kinase level and hyperkalaemia are the most important laboratory parameters. Vigorous hydration with isotonic saline followed by alkaline solutions and mannitol are useful in the treatment of rhabdomyolysis.

Disasters are a major cause of distress and material as well as corporal damage. Next to direct trauma, the crush syndrome inducing multiorgan problems as a consequence of muscle compression and the release of muscular contents into the bloodstream is the most important cause of death; this is to a large extent related to the induction of severe acute kidney injury, for which dialysis is a life-saving therapy. The practical means (both hardware and personnel) to do so are, however, often lacking in disaster conditions. The Renal Disaster Relief Task Force (RDRTF) offered support for renal problems in the aftermath of several disasters, e.g. the Marmara earthquake (1999) in Turkey, the Bam earthquake (2003) in Iran, and the Kashmir earthquake (2005) in Pakistan. A preconceived intervention plan is followed with adaptations according to local conditions. Material and personnel are dispatched to the disaster areas. These interventions have been life-saving for a substantial number of victims. The current article describes the structure and approach of the RDRTF.

The published studies on the prognosis of patients requiring intermittent hemodialysis (IHD) are scarce and have some conflicts. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed our data on ARF patients who were treated with IHD. A total of 192 (female: 85, 44.3%; male: 107, 55.7%) patients were included in the study. The mean age was 56.3 +/- 17.1 years. In all, 48.9% of the patients were older than 60 years. The mean number of IHD sessions was 7.8 +/- 8.0 per patient; 12.4% was due to prerenal causes, 76.8% was due to intrarenal causes, and 10.8% was due to postrenal causes. The leading indication of the IHD was uremic symptoms (46.8%). With the exclusion of hypertension, 72.4% of the patients had at least one systemic comorbidity. After treatment, 75.5% of the patients recovered, in contrast to 9.4% of patients who were transferred to chronic renal replacement programs and 15.1% who died during IHD period. Pre-dialytic serum creatinine (p = 0.003) and albumin levels (p = 0.016), total IHD session number per patient (p = 0.003), and age (p = 0.034) were the parameters that were related to high mortality in statistical analysis. Mortality was higher if the leading indication of IHD was biochemical disturbances (p = 0.013). Diabetes mellitus did not influence mortality. Consequently, predialytic serum creatinine and albumin levels may be very important predictors of mortality. Patients in high-risk groups (older age, female sex, and low pre-dialytic creatinine and albumin levels) should be considered to be treated with slow continuous renal replacement methods.

This study analyzes the effects of fluid resuscitation in the crush victims of the Bingol earthquake, which occurred in May 2003 in southeastern Turkey. Questionnaires asking about demographic, clinical, laboratory, and therapeutic features of 16 crush victims were filled in retrospectively. Mean duration under the rubble was 10.3 +/- 7 h, and all patients had severe rhabdomyolysis. Fourteen patients were receiving isotonic saline at admission, which was followed by mannitol-alkaline fluid resuscitation. All but two patients were polyuric. Admission serum creatinine level was lower than and higher than 1.5 mg/dl in 11 and 5 patients, respectively. Marked elevations were noted in muscle enzymes in all patients. During the clinical course, hypokalemia was observed in nine patients, all of whom needed energetic potassium chloride replacement. Four (25%) of 16 victims required hemodialysis. Duration between rescue and initiation of fluids was significantly longer in the dialyzed victims as compared with nondialyzed ones (9.3 +/- 1.7 versus 3.7 +/- 3.3 h, P < 0.03). Sixteen fasciotomies were performed in 11 patients (68%), nine of which were complicated by wound infections. All patients survived and were discharged from the hospital with good renal function. Early and vigorous fluid resuscitation followed by mannitol-alkaline diuresis prevents acute renal failure in crush victims, resulting in a more favorable outcome.

Background: During catastrophic earthquakes, crush syndrome is the second most frequent cause of death after the direct impact of trauma. The Marmara earthquake, which struck Northwestern Turkey in August 1999, was characterized by 639 crush syndrome victims with acute renal problems. The factors influencing their final outcome have been the subject of this study., Patients/methods: Within the first week of the disaster questionnaires asking about 63 clinical and laboratory variables were sent to 35 reference hospitals that treated the victims. Information obtained by means of these questionnaires, including the factors with a potential influence on outcome, was submitted to analysis., Results: Overall mortality rate was 15.2%. In univariate analysis, nonsurvivors were older (p = 0.048); the highest mortality rates were observed among the victims coming from the closest cities to the reference hospitals. Admission within the first 3 days of the disaster (p = 0.016), with oliguria (p = 0.042), lower figures for blood pressure (p < 0.001), platelets (p = 0.004) and serum albumin (p = 0.005) were associated with mortality. Also, higher body temperature (p = 0.013) and serum potassium (p < 0.001) as well as suffering from thoracic or abdominal traumas, extremity amputations and medical complications other than renal failure (for all 4: p < 0.0001) in addition to need of dialysis support (p = 0.015) and mechanical ventilation (p < 0.0001) indicated higher risk of death. In the multivariate analysis, age (p = 0.030, OR = 1.02), presence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (p = 0.001, OR = 4.49), abdominal trauma (p = 0.012, OR = 4.05) and amputations (p = 0.010, OR = 2.81) were predictors of mortality. Dialyzed patients were characterized by higher mortality rates than nondialyzed victims (17.2% versus 9.3%, p = 0.015)., Conclusion: Outcome of the renal victims of catastrophic earthquakes is influenced by the type of trauma, comorbid events and complications observed during the clinical course as well as epidemiological features such as age, distance to reference hospitals and time lapse between disaster and admission to reference hospitals.

Background: Renal replacement therapy is of vital importance in the treatment of crush syndrome victims, who are frequently encountered after catastrophic earthquakes. The Marmara earthquake, which struck Northwestern Turkey in August 1999, was characterized by 477 victims who needed dialysis., Method: Within the first week of the disaster, questionnaires containing 63 clinical and laboratory variables were sent to 35 reference hospitals that treated the victims. Information considering the features of dialyses obtained through these questionnaires was submitted to analysis., Results: Overall, 639 casualties with renal complications were registered, 477 of whom (mean age 32.3 +/- 13.7 years, 269 male) needed dialysis. Among these, 452 were treated by a single dialysis modality (437 intermittent hemodialysis, 11 continuous renal replacement therapy and 4 peritoneal dialysis), while 25 victims needed more than one type of dialysis. In total, 5137 hemodialysis sessions were performed (mean 11.1 +/- 8.0 sessions per patient) and mean duration of hemodialysis support was 13.4 +/- 9.0 days; this duration was shorter in the non-survivors (7.0 +/- 8.7 vs. 10.0 +/- 9.8 days, P = 0.005). Thirty-four victims who underwent continuous renal replacement therapy had higher mortality rates (41.2 vs. 13.7%, P < 0.0001). Only eight victims were treated by peritoneal dialysis, four of whom also required hemodialysis or continuous renal replacement therapy. The mortality rate in the dialyzed victims was 17.2%, a significantly higher figure compared to the mortality rate of the non-dialyzed patients with renal problems (9.3%; P = 0.015)., Conclusion: Substantial amounts of dialysis support may be necessary for treating the victims of mass disasters complicated with crush syndrome. Dialyzed patients are characterized by higher rates of morbidity and mortality.

Background: The clinical course of acute renal failure (ARF) related to crush syndrome is very complex, because of co-existing surgical and/or medical complications. After the devastating Marmara earthquake that struck Turkey in August 1999, 639 patients were identified with nephrological problems, whose clinical findings have been the subject of this analysis., Methods: Specific questionnaires asking about 63 variables were sent to 35 reference hospitals that treated the victims. Clinical findings of the renal victims were analysed., Results: At admission, high fever was noted in 31.8% of the patients; the temperature of non-survivors was higher (P=0.027). Mean blood pressure was higher in survivors (P=0.004) and dialysed victims (P <0.001). Most (61.4%) patients were oligo-anuric; oliguria lasted for 10.8+/-7.2 days. Thoracic and abdominal traumas were associated with a higher risk of mortality. 397 fasciotomies and 121 amputations were performed in 790 traumatized extremities. Fasciotomies were associated with sepsis (P<0.001) and dialysis needs (P<0.0001), while amputations were associated with mortality (P<0.0001). Medical complications, which were associated with dialysis needs (P<0.0001) and mortality (P<0.0001), were observed in 51.5% of patients. In a multivariate analysis model of medical complications, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) (P<0.0001, OR=5.81), and adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) (P=0.0001, OR=4.53) were predictors of mortality., Conclusions: In the aftermath of catastrophic earthquakes, clinical findings of the renal victims can predict the final outcome. While fasciotomies indicate dialysis needs, extremity amputations, abdominal and thoracic traumas are associated with higher rates of mortality in addition to DIC and ARDS.

Background/aims: Treatment of renal problems during natural catastrophes is highly complicated both for medical and logistic reasons. The therapeutic interventions applied to and the outcome of 639 victims with acute renal problems during the catastrophic Marmara earthquake have been the subject of this study., Methods: Questionnaires regarding information about 63 clinical and laboratory variables were sent to 35 reference hospitals that treated the victims. Information considering therapeutic interventions and outcome obtained through these questionnaires was submitted to analysis., Results: At least one form of renal replacement therapy was administered to 477 (74.6%) of the 639 victims. Of these, 437, 11, and 4 were treated solely by intermittent hemodialysis, continuous renal replacement therapy, and peritoneal dialysis, respectively; 25 victims needed more than one dialysis modality. In total, 5,137 hemodialysis sessions were performed. Also, 2,981, 2,837 and 2,594 units of blood, fresh frozen plasma, and human albumin were administered, respectively. Transfusion of these products was usually associated with higher rates of dialysis needs and mortality. Ninety-seven patients (15.2%) died. The mortality rate of dialyzed victims was higher as compared to nondialyzed ones (17.2 vs. 9.3%, p = 0.015)., Conclusions: Massive amounts of dialysis treatment as well as blood and blood product transfusions can be necessary in the treatment of catastrophic earthquake victims with nephrological problems. Despite the potential risk of a high mortality, in the case of appropriate and energetic medical interventions, reasonable final outcomes can be achieved., (Copyright 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel)

Background: Earthquakes are major causes of morbidity and mortality. North-western Turkey was struck by a devastating earthquake in August 1999, which caused several thousand deaths. Among the most important morbid events in survivors were acute nephrological problems., Methods: Within the first week of the disaster, specific questionnaires asking about 63 clinical and laboratory parameters were sent to 35 reference hospitals that were treating the victims. Of the registered 639 victims, 423 were admitted within the first 3 days of the disaster; the admission laboratory data of these 423 patients are the subject of this analysis., Results: In the 423 patients (233 males, mean age 31.3+/-14.4 years), time under the rubble was 10.7+/-10.4 h. Mean values at admission were as follows: serum potassium 5.4+/-1.3 mEq/l, creatine phosphokinase 58205+/-77889 IU/l, albumin 2.6+/-0.7 g/dl, phosphorus 5.2+/-1.8 mg/dl, haematocrit 35.0+/-9.3%, leukocyte count 14945+/-6614/mm(3), platelet count 183975+/-134012/mm(3), blood urea nitrogen 55.1+/-28.9 mg/dl, and creatinine 3.9+/-2.3 mg/dl. Serum potassium above 6.5 mEq/l was noted in 91 patients (22.7%), an alarming finding for risk of fatal arrhythmias. Non-survivors were characterized by higher figures of serum potassium (P=0.001), as well as lower haematocrit (P=0.028), platelets (P<0.001), and serum albumin (P=0.003). In a multivariate analysis model of admission laboratory parameters, serum creatinine (P<0.001, o.r.=2.19), potassium (P=0.001, o.r.=3.64), and phosphorus (P=0.004, o.r.=1.78) predicted dialysis needs, whereas serum albumin (P=0.028, o.r.=0.23) and creatinine (P=0.039, o.r.=0.60) were related to mortality., Conclusions: Admission laboratory data may be useful for predicting dialysis needs and survival chance of disaster victims. High incidences of some life-threatening abnormalities dictate the need for empirical therapy even in the field.

Background: On August 17, 1999 a major earthquake hit the most densely populated area at the eastern end of the Marmara Sea in northwestern Turkey. The number of documented cases of acute renal failure (ARF) following this event exceeded all similar cases previously reported for any single earthquake. The aim of this report was to provide an overview of the morbidity and mortality of all documented patients with ARF, due to crush injury, that were treated in hospitals with dialysis units following the Marmara earthquake., Methods: Special questionnaires were sent out to all hospitals with dialysis units known to have admitted earthquake victims with ARF and related crush injuries. Responses to questionnaires from the Turkish Society of Nephrology (TSN) Task Force were collected from 35 hospitals in October 1999. We retrospectively evaluated patients, clinic and laboratory findings, surgical interventions, and frequency and duration of dialysis. Patients who died before or on admission and those with prior chronic renal disease were excluded from the study., Results: A total of 639 patients (291 female and 348 male) with ARF due to crush injury were hospitalized in 35 hospitals. The mean age was 31.6+/-14.7 years and 71.1% were young adults within the range of 16-45 years. 477 patients (74.6%) received one or more dialysis treatments, 162 patients were not dialysed, 15 patients died before dialysis could be instituted, and 147 patients recovered without dialysis treatment. 340 patients were oliguric on admission. The most important abnormalities related to ARF as a result of crush injury morbidity, were oliguria (53.2%), uraemia (94%), high creatinine levels (87%), hyperkalaemia (42%), hyperphosphataemia (63%), hypocalcaemia (83%), and high creatinine phosphokinase levels (73 %). 512 patients had a total of 790 extremity injuries. Eighty-three patients (12.9%) had fractures of the extremities and non-extremity fractures were observed in 59 (9.2%) patients. 323 fasciotomies were performed. Thoracic and abdominal trauma was observed in 110 patients (17.2%). Infection and sepsis were observed in 223 (34.9%) and 121 (18.9%) patients, respectively. Haematologic abnormalities were observed in 197 patients (33%) including 116 with Htc < or =30%. There were pulmonary problems in 96 patients (15%), cardiovascular problems in 198 patients (30.9%), gastrointestinal problems in 23 (3.16%), neurologic problems in 43 (6.7%), and psychiatric problems in 7 (1%) patients. Ninety-seven of the 639 patients with ARF as a result of crush injury died (15.2%), and mortality rates were 17.2 and 9.3% in dialysed and non-dialysed patients, respectively. Findings significantly associated with mortality were sepsis, thrombocytopenia, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and abdominal and thoracic traumas., Conclusions: We conclude that in cases of severe disasters such as major earthquakes, patients should be rapidly transferred to undamaged peripheral general hospitals. When proper dialysis and intensive care facilities together with around the clock dedicated human effort are available, crush injury-related ARF patients have a lower mortality. Mortality, when it occurs, is mainly associated with thoracic and abdominal trauma and medical problems such as DIC and/or ARDS/respiratory failure, often in conjunction with sepsis.

In this study, we evaluated the clinical and laboratory data of the patients presenting after the Marmara earthquake. Crush syndrome was diagnosed in 60 patients (30 M, 30 F, mean age: 31.3+/-13.8 years). They were buried under the rubble for a mean period of 12.3+/-15.1 hours. On admission, 27 patients were oligoanuric and the mean serum creatinine, creatinine phosphokinase and potassium levels were 4.4+/-3.2 mg/dl, 18453.1+/-24527.2 IU/L, and 4.9+/-1.7 mEq/L, respectively. The most frequent site of trauma was the lower extremity. Dialysis treatment was initiated in 40 patients (19 M, 21 F; mean age: 32.7+/-13.0 years). Mean number of hemodialysis sessions/patient was 8.9+/-6.8. Nine (23%) patients among the dialyzed and 4 (20%) among the non-dialyzed died leading to an overall mortality of 21.6%. This low mortality rate suggests that the death rate from acute renal failure due to crush syndrome could be decreased by extensive follow-up.