Metabolic stridor: a case report.
The clinical features of severe hypokalaemia include constipation, ileus, ventricular and atrial tachycardias, weakness, hypotonicity and rarely an ascending motor paralysis with ventilatory failure. We describe a patient who presented with severe diarrhoea, hypokalaemic normal anion gap metabolic acidosis and hypophosphataemia. He developed stridor and respiratory failure following early correction of his hypokalaemia which was successfully managed with endotracheal intubation, mechanical ventilation and further correction of his fluid and electrolyte abnormalities.
Intensive Care Unit, Frankston Hospital, Frankston, Victoria.
A K
AK
Ajithkumar
J A
JA
Botha