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Previous Volume 354:1052-1063 March 9, 2006 Number 10 Next

	Since this article has no abstract, we have provided an extract of the first 100 words of the full text and any section headings.

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Disasters can rarely be anticipated, much less prevented. After both natural disasters (e.g., earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, and landslides) and man-made catastrophes (e.g., wars, mining accidents, and terrorist attacks), injuries to vital organs can cause instant death. Late mortality is generally attributable to rhabdomyolysis resulting in the crush syndrome, which is the most frequent cause of death after earthquakes, apart from trauma.^1,2 Crush-related acute renal failure is one of the few life-threatening complications of crush injuries that can be reversed.

The crush syndrome affects many organs. Problems in addition to acute renal failure include sepsis, the acute respiratory distress syndrome, disseminated . . . [Full Text of this Article]

Disasters and the Crush Syndrome

Disasters — A Worldwide Problem

Recent History of the Crush Syndrome

The Concept of Renal Disaster

Characteristics of the Crush Syndrome

Logistics and Coordination in Renal Disasters

Assessment of Severity

Status of Local Health Facilities and Transportation Possibilities

Timing of Anticipated Hospitalizations and Consumption of Medical Supplies

Preparedness of Medical and Paramedical Personnel

Forecasting the Need for Renal-Replacement Therapy

            Acute Renal Failure

            Chronic Renal Failure

Delivery of Medical Supplies and Personnel

Conclusions

Source Information

From the Departments of Internal Medicine and Nephrology, Istanbul School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey (M.S.S.); and the Departments of Internal Medicine and Nephrology, University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium (R.V., N.L.).

Address reprint requests to Dr. Sever at Atakoy 4, Kisim TO: 216, D: 15, Bakirköy, 34390 Istanbul, Turkey, or at severm@hotmail.com.

Related Letters:

Crush-Related Injury after Disasters
Kettler R. E., Rokach A., Bar-Dayan Y., Sever M. S., Vanholder R., Lameire N.
Extract | Full Text | PDF  
N Engl J Med 2006; 354:2511-2512, Jun 8, 2006. Correspondence

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