The authors present a case report of a previously healthy 15-year-old male who experienced global weakness in the presence of profound hypokalaemia following a high-voltage electrical arc injury. The clinical picture is discussed in the context of our evolving understanding of electrical injuries and potassium homeostasis.
CannonSC. Channelopathies of skeletal muscle excitability. Compr Physiol2015; 5: 761–790.
5.
ClausenT. Quantification of Na+, K+ pumps and their transport rate in skeletal muscle: functional significance. J Gen Physiol2013; 142: 327–345.
6.
SejerstedOMSjøgaardG. Dynamics and consequences of potassium shifts in skeletal muscle and heart during exercise. Physiol Rev2000; 80: 1411–1481.
7.
ReillyJP. Applied bioelectricity: from electrical stimulation to electrical pathology, New York: Springer, 1998.
8.
Dasgupta RA, Schulz JT, Lee RC, et al. Severe hypokalemia as a cause of acute transient paraplegia following electrical shock. Burns 2002; 28: 609–611.
9.
BealALScheltemaKEBeilmanGJ, et al.Hypokalaemia following trauma. Shock2002; 18: 107–110.
10.
NielsenOBHilsteadLClausenT. Excitation-induced force recovery in potassium-inhibited rate soleus muscle. J Physiol1998; 512: 819–829.
11.
BlumHNiokaSJohnsonRG. Activation of the Na+, K(+)-ATPase in Narcine brasiliensis. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA1990; 87: 1247–1251.
12.
BealALDeuserWEBeilmanGJ. A role for epinephrine in post-traumatic hypokalemia. Shock2007; 27: 358–363.
