title: Acute hyperkalemia leading to flaccid paralysis: a review of hyperkalemic manifestations.
abstract: Hyperkalemia can present with a spectrum of clinical manifestations with progressive EKG changes and life-threatening arrhythmias. Although no formal guidelines exist as to when to initiate treatment for hyperkalemia, it is generally recommended in clinically symptomatic patients with or without EKG changes. Timely diagnosis and reversal can relieve symptoms and prevent life-threatening arrhythmias. We review the EKG changes associated with hyperkalemia and management principles along with an example of a case of severe hyperkalemia resulting in arrhythmia and flaccid paralysis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Reading Health System, West Reading, PA, USA; paraskarmacharya@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Paras
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Karmacharya
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Reading Health System, West Reading, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Dilli Ram
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Poudel
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Reading Health System, West Reading, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Ranjan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pathak
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Reading Health System, West Reading, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rettew
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Reading Health System, West Reading, PA, USA.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alweis
keywords: arrhythmia; hyperkalemia; paralysis