We report a case of hypokalaemic quadriplegia with acute respiratory failure and life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias in a 26-year-old woman who was diagnosed to have distal renal tubular acidosis. She had persistent metabolic acidosis with severe hypokalaemia and required mechanical ventilation and potassium replacement. The anaesthetic implications of renal tubular acidosis are also discussed.
FujimotoT., ShiikiH., TakahiY., DohiK.Primary Sjögren's syndrome presenting as hypokalaemic periodic paralysis and respiratory arrest.Clin Rheumatol2001; 20: 365–368.
5.
OhtaniH., ImaiH., KodamaT.Severe hypokalaemia and respiratory arrest due to renal tubular acidosis in a patient with Sjögren's syndrome.Nephrol Dial Transplant1999; 14: 2201–2203.
6.
PouxJ.M., PeyronnetP., Le MeurY.Hypokalemic quadriplegia and respiratory arrest revealing primary Sjögren's syndrome.Clin Nephrol1992; 37: 189–191.
7.
AlvarezJ., LowR.B.Acute respiratory arrest due to hypo-kalemia.Ann Emerg Med1988; 17: 288–289.
8.
KoulP.A., SaleemS.M.Chronic active hepatitis with renal tubular acidosis presenting as hypokalaemic periodic paralysis with respiratory failure.Acta Paediatr1992; 81: 568–569.
9.
Du BoseT.D.Jr., CoganM.G., RectorFCJr.. Acid Base Disorders. In: BrennerB.M. ed. Brenner & Rector's The Kidney.5th Ed.Philadelphia: WB Saunders Company, 1996; 929–998.
