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'''Hypokalaemia''' is a disorder of potassium homeostasis characterised by low levels of potassium (<3.5 mmol/L). It's a relatively common electrolyte abnormality.
'''Hypokalaemia''' is a disorder of potassium homeostasis characterised by low levels of potassium (<3.5 mmol/L). It's a relatively common electrolyte abnormality.
{{Infobox medical condition
| name = Hypokalaemia
| definition = Serum potassium level < 3.5
| frequency = Relatively common
| cause = Loop diuretics, gastrointestinal loss, hyperaldosteronism
| symptoms = Muscle weakness, constipation/ileus
| treatment = P.o. or i.v. supplementation
| complications = Ventricular arrhythmia, rhabdomyolysis
}}


== Grading of severity ==
== Grading of severity ==
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== Complications ==
== Complications ==
=== Arrhythmia ===
Arrhythmia in case of hypokalaemia can be fatal and is the most dangerous complication. Hypokalaemia can cause a variety of arrhythmias, from relatively benign ones like [[Premature atrial beat|premature atrial beats]], [[sinus bradycardia]], [[atrial tachycardia]], to rapidly life-threatening ones like [[ventricular tachycardia]] or [[Ventricular fibrillation|fibrillation]]. Elderly, as well as people with heart disease, previous ventricular arrhythmia, or [[digitalis]] treatment are at extra high risk for arrhythmia.
Arrhythmia in case of hypokalaemia can be fatal and is the most dangerous complication. Hypokalaemia can cause a variety of arrhythmias, from relatively benign ones like [[Premature atrial beat|premature atrial beats]], [[sinus bradycardia]], [[atrial tachycardia]], to rapidly life-threatening ones like [[ventricular tachycardia]] or [[Ventricular fibrillation|fibrillation]]. Elderly, as well as people with heart disease, previous ventricular arrhythmia, or [[digitalis]] treatment are at extra high risk for arrhythmia.
=== Rhabdomyolysis ===
''Main article: [[Rhabdomyolysis]]''
Rhabdomyolysis occurs due to the skeletal muscle membrane becoming unexcitable, which causes necrosis. Hypokalaemia also reduces muscle blood flow (as potassium is usually a vasodilator in skeletal muscle), which causes [[ischaemic necrosis]].
[[Category:Pathophysiology]]
[[Category:Pathophysiology]]