Hypokalemia-induced cardiac arrest in a Duchenne muscular dystrophy patient

Background: Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a progressive myopathic disorder, inherited as X-linked recessive traits, in which muscle weakness is the primary symptom. Correlation between DMD and hypokalemia is reported in only three case reports. Recent investigations have focused on the nutritional management of patients with DMD. However, there are no data regarding recommendations on potassium intake. Description of case: We report the case of a 15-year-old male patient with DMD, who developed sudden cardiac arrest following severe hypokalemia (K: 1.3 mEq/L) during a lower respiratory tract infection. Hypokalemia was gradually corrected with intravenous potassium chloride. The patient, after a prolonged hospitalization due to hypoxic encephalopathy, was discharged from the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) on mechanical ventilation.

Conclusion: Severe hypokalemia is a rare complication of DMD, with potentially lethal consequences. Therefore, in patients with DMD, potassium levels should be closely monitored and adjusted with appropriate diet or potassium supplements as needed. Hippokratia 2016, 20(2): 163-165.