[Barium intoxication: a case report].
Barium intoxication, a rare cause of hypokalemia, can sometimes result in respiratory paralysis and ventricular tachyarrhythmia. Herein, we report one such case. A 29-year-old man swallowed barium-contaminated fried flour-coated sweet potatoes. Then, abdominal discomfort, vomiting, diarrhea, progressive muscular weakness, apnea and ventricular tachycardia developed and laboratory data revealed profound hypokalemia. He regained his health after mechanical ventilation, anti-arrhythmic agent and aggressive potassium chloride supplement. Analysis of blood, urine and contaminated flour showed the presence of barium carbonate. Barium intoxication is a medical emergency which requires rapid therapy to prevent mortality.
Department of Medicine, Provincial Tao-Yuan General Hospital, Taiwan, R.O.C.
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D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D001464:Barium / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male; D013610:Tachycardia / Q000139:chemically induced
D001464:Barium