title: Cardiac arrest following paracetamol overdose complicated by hypokalaemia.
abstract: We present a case of paracetamol overdose in a 34-year-old female with a history of depression and alcoholism. Following treatment with N-acetylcysteine (Parvolex®) our patient developed ventricular tachycardia resulting in cardiac arrest from which she was successfully resuscitated. Subsequent ECG demonstrated prolongation of the QTc interval and repeat blood tests revealed a significant fall in serum potassium from 4.2mmol/l on admission to 2.2mmol/l. The possible mechanisms contributing to the development of hypokalaemia after overdose with paracetamol are discussed. The existing literature relating to paracetamol-induced hypokalaemia is briefly reviewed.
authors: St. James' University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds, LS9 7TF.
authors: Tom
authors: T
authors: Heaps
authors: Jack
authors: J
authors: Gormley