Caution for anabolic androgenic steroid use: a case report of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome

Abstract

We report a 42-year-old male amateur body builder and user of anabolic androgenic steroids, who developed ARDS, acute kidney injury, and refractory supraventricular tachycardia. He required extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, continuous veno-venous hemodialysis, and catheter ablation. We believe that long-term anabolic androgenic steroid abuse predisposed the patient to multiple organ dysfunction syndrome, from its immunomodulatory effects in an otherwise healthy patient. Anabolic androgenic steroid use should be part of the history taking process, since it may complicate diagnosis, disease progression, and prognosis.

Keywords: ARDS; acute kidney injury; anabolic androgenic steroid; extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; multiple organ dysfunction syndrome.