title: Thyrotoxic hypokalemic periodic paralysis is a rare but potentially fatal emergency: case report and literature review.
abstract: We report a case of a 39 year-old Asian man in whom profound lower limb paralysis, along with severe hypokalemia and electrocardiographic changes, were the presenting features of Graves' disease (GD)-related thyrotoxicosis. Rapid recognition and management of the disorder were the key factors to avoid fatal hypokalemia-induced cardiac arrhythmias and promptly restore patient's capacity to ambulate.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, Dr. Ramón Ruiz Arnau University Hospital, Bayamón, Puerto Rico. jeisa10@hotmail.com
authors: Jeisa Y
authors: JY
authors: Gómez-Torres
authors: Wilfredo E
authors: WE
authors: Bravo-Llerena
authors: Luis M
authors: LM
authors: Reyes-Ortiz
authors: Rodrigo J
authors: RJ
authors: Valderrábano-Wagner
authors: Victor
authors: V
authors: Mariano-Mejías
authors: Héctor
authors: H
authors: Brunet-Rodríguez
authors: Juan C
authors: JC
authors: Lemos-Ramírez
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D013956:Antithyroid Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004630:Emergencies; D006111:Graves Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D020514:Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000208:ethnology / Q000209:etiology*; D017136:Ion Transport; D008297:Male; D008713:Methimazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D011189:Potassium Chloride / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011433:Propranolol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase / Q000378:metabolism; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications; D013971:Thyrotoxicosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D013956:Antithyroid Agents; D008713:Methimazole; D011189:Potassium Chloride; D011433:Propranolol; D000254:Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase; D011188:Potassium