Severe Liver Injury Secondary to COVID-19-Induced Rhabdomyolysis in McArdle Disease

Abstract

Severe liver injury is an uncommon condition caused by non-traumatic rhabdomyolysis. This rare correlation is more commonly seen in the aspartate aminotransferase (AST) than in the alanine transaminase (ALT) level elevation. We report a case of a 27-year-old male with a history of McArdle disease who presented with generalized muscle aches associated with dark urine. His workup showed SARS-CoV-2 positive, severe rhabdomyolysis (creatinine kinase [CK] > 40000 U/L) and acute kidney injury (AKI) followed by severe liver injury (AST/ALT: 2122/383 U/L). He was started on aggressive intravenous hydration. After multiple boluses, he became overloaded, fluids were re-adjusted and continued, his renal function, CK, and liver enzymes improved, and the patient was discharged; during his visit at the post-discharge, the patient was asymptomatic and no clinical or laboratory abnormalities were found. The glycogen storage diseases are challenging, but prompt and accurate assessment is determinant in recognizing potential life-threatening complications of SARS-CoV-2. The failure to identify complicated rhabdomyolysis could lead to the patient's rapid deterioration, ending in multiorgan failure.