Hypokalaemia

Serum potassium level <3.5mmol/L, classified by magnitude into:

Epidemiology and Risk Factors

Causes include:

↓ Potassium intake
- Dietary
  <1g/day.
Redistribution
- Alkalosis
- Drugs
  - Insulin
  - β-agonism
↑ Potassium loss
- GI
  - Diarrhoea
  - Vomiting
  - Ileostomy
  - Fistulae
  - Villous adenoma
- Renal
  - Hypomagnesaemia
  - Nephrogenic DI
  - Bartter’s syndrome
  - Liddle’s syndrome
  - Gitelman’s syndrome
- Hyperaldosteronism
- Drugs
  - Diuretics
  - Laxative abuse
  - Licorice
  - Steroids
- RRT

Bedside:

Laboratory:

Imaging:

Other:

ECG
- ↑ P wave amplitude
- Prolonged PR interval
- ST depression, T-wave flattening or inversion
- U waves

Goals of management

Resuscitation:

Specific therapy:

Supportive care:

Disposition:

Preventative: