title: A Case of Nonfatal Ventricular Arrhythmia Due to Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis in a Saudi Patient as an Initial Presentation of Graves' Disease.
abstract: Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is a potentially lethal complication of hyperthyroidism characterized by recurrent muscle weakness and hypokalemia. It has been commonly reported in non-Asian populations. Four cases were reported in Saudis so far, and one had a life-threatening arrhythmia. We describe an additional case of a 28-year-old apparently healthy Saudi male patient, who presented with acute paraparesis associated with hypokalemia (K: 2.0 mmol/L), complicated by ventricular tachycardia and cardiac arrest. He was successfully resuscitated and his hypokalemia was corrected. A diagnosis of Graves' disease associated with TPP was made. He was initially treated with carbimazole and β-blockers and then given a definitive therapy with radioactive iodine, which showed a good response. This case highlights the importance of early recognition and prompt treatment of TPP as a differential diagnosis for muscle weakness. A brief review of TPP and associated arrhythmia is included.
authors: Obesity, Endocrine and Metabolism Center, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Osamah
authors: O
authors: Hakami
authors: Obesity, Endocrine and Metabolism Center, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Maswood M
authors: MM
authors: Ahmad
authors: Obesity, Endocrine and Metabolism Center, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.; Faculty of Medicine, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.; Prince Mutaib Chair for Biomarkers of Osteoporosis, Biochemistry Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors: Naji
authors: N
authors: Al Johani
keywords: Graves’ disease; arrhythmia; hyperthyroidism; hypokalemia; thyrotoxic periodic paralysis; thyrotoxicosis; ventricular tachycardia