Hypokalemic myopathy. our experience at an intensive care unit
Albertario, F.; Ceriana, P.; Scelsi, R.; Geraci, P.; Azan, G.; Dionigi, R.V.; Mapelli, A.
Minerva Anestesiologica 58(1-2): 19-25
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0375-9393 PMID: 1589061 Document Number: 393892
Disturbances of potassium homeostasis are frequently iatrogenic: some drugs, especially diuretics, are sometimes taken without proper electrolyte control and replacement; this can lead to more or less severe hypokalemic states. After some physiopathologic remarks, the Authors report their experience with four patients admitted for severe hypokalemia; the clinical picture was always quite typical: severe muscle weakness (even quadriparesis), cardiac rhythm abnormalities, metabolic alkalosis. A reliable diagnostic tool is muscle biopsy that shows aspects of vacuolar myopathy.