Unusual causes of hypokalaemia and paralysis.
We demonstrate how the application of physiological principles may help to identify unusual causes of a very low plasma potassium (K+) concentration (P(K)) and paralysis. In the two patients described, the short time course of the illness suggested that there was an acute shift of K+ into cells. The combination of a low rate of excretion of K+, the absence of a metabolic acid-base disorder, and the fact that the clinical findings occurred very soon after a large intake of carbohydrate supported this impression. Surprisingly, the P(K) remained low for many hours after these stimuli to shift K+ into cells had abated. The missing link in this story was eventually provided by the attending medical team with the help of their mentor, Professor McCance.
University of Toronto, St Michael's Hospital Annex, Lab #1, Research Wing, 38 Shuter Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1A6, Canada.
M
M
Alazami
S-H
SH
Lin
C-J
CJ
Cheng
M R
MR
Davids
M L
ML
Halperin
D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects; D000328:Adult; D000661:Amphetamine / Q000009:adverse effects; D002110:Caffeine / Q000009:adverse effects; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010243:Paralysis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology
D018759:Adrenergic Uptake Inhibitors; D000697:Central Nervous System Stimulants; D002110:Caffeine; D000661:Amphetamine