Hyperkalemia

Hyperkalemia, which is a rare occurrence in normal subjects, is the commonest electrolyte manifestation in renal impairment, and symptoms and signs mainly limited to cardiac and neurological systems. However, neurological manifestations are not commonly encountered in clinical practice. According to the case review of 73 patients common presentations of secondary hyperkalemic paralysis were diminished reflexes, quadriparesis/paralysis, respiratory involvement and sensory loss. Complete recovery was achieved in 89% of cases and did not correlate either with the absolute potassium level or the degree to which it was corrected. We report a case of hyperkalemic paralysis with pure motor involvement in a patient with acute on chronic renal failure. Hyperkalemia is defined as serum potassium concentration of greater than 5.5mEq/L. Renal impairment is the major cause of hyperkalemia, accounting for 75% of cases. Hyperkalemia is often asymptomatic and diagnosed on routine laboratory test.

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Last date updated on April, 2024