title: Reversal of life-threatening, drug-related potassium-channel syndrome by glibenclamide.
abstract: We describe three critically ill patients who received drugs with K(ATP) channel-opening properties and subsequently developed severe life-threatening complications, including hyperkalaemia and cardiovascular disturbances. Administration of the sulfonylurea-receptor inhibitor glibenclamide promptly reversed these abnormalities. Over the past 3 years, we have seen this syndrome and response in five patients taking nicorandil, ciclosporin, or isoflurane, which suggests that this disorder arises more frequently than is currently realised.
authors.affiliation: Bloomsbury Institute of Intensive Care Medicine, Department of Medicine, University College London, Middlesex Hospital, London W1T 3AA, UK. m.singer@ucl.ac.uk <m.singer@ucl.ac.uk>
authors.forename: Mervyn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Singer
authors.forename: Flaminia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Coluzzi
authors.forename: Alastair
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: Lucie H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Clapp
mesh_terms: D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000378:metabolism; D000328:Adult; D016638:Critical Illness; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000009:adverse effects; D005905:Glyburide / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006947:Hyperkalemia; D007022:Hypotension; D007530:Isoflurane / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020108:Nicorandil / Q000009:adverse effects; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015221:Potassium Channels / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013577:Syndrome; D014664:Vasodilation
chemical_list: D026902:Potassium Channel Blockers; D015221:Potassium Channels; D020108:Nicorandil; D016572:Cyclosporine; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D007530:Isoflurane; D011188:Potassium; D005905:Glyburide