Treatment and Follow-up for Earthquake Victims in the Intensive Care Unit

Our world has been afflicted by natural disasters numerous times throughout the ages, and consequently, several morbidities and mortality have been reported. Earthquakes are natural disasters with widespread and long-lasting effects on the affected population and different clinical complications. Crush syndrome (CS) is observed in most patients followed up in the intensive care unit (ICU) after earthquakes. In CS, traumatic rhabdomyolysis, hypotension due to decreased fluid volume in the intravascular space, hyperkalemia, and renal failure due to hypovolemia can ensue. Rhabdomyolysis releases intracellular potassium, phosphorus, nucleic acids, and myoglobin into the circulation. The most important laboratory finding was hyperkalemia. Acute renal failure, compartment syndrome, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and metabolic disorders may be observed because of rhabdomyolysis. Pulmonary complications, infections, and other medical complications may develop in patients with CS. It is important to start treatment at the site of trauma before reaching the hospital, to closely monitor the patient during treatment in the ICU, and to treat patients with a multidisciplinary approach to reduce mortality and morbidity after earthquakes.