Death from rhabdomyolysis is most often due to which complication?

• A. Stroke
• B. Liver failure
• C. Kidney failure with electrolyte imbalances causing cardiac arrhythmias
• D. Pulmonary edema

Answer: (C)

Rhabdomyolysis leads to death mainly when the kidneys fail and the body's electrolytes become dangerously imbalanced. The breakdown of muscle releases myoglobin, potassium, phosphate, and other substances that can damage the kidneys, causing acute kidney injury. As cells rupture, potassium spills into the blood, often causing hyperkalemia, which can disrupt cardiac electrical activity and trigger life-threatening arrhythmias. The combination of renal failure and these electrolyte disturbances is what most commonly drives mortality in rhabdomyolysis.

Stroke, liver failure, and pulmonary edema can occur in various contexts but are not the typical immediate culprits behind deaths in rhabdomyolysis. The critical link to death is kidney injury with electrolyte-related heart rhythm problems, especially those driven by hyperkalemia.