A Unique Case of a Mildly Symptomatic Patient With Severe Hypokalemia Secondary to Furosemide

Abstract

Hypokalemia is a common condition that has been well studied. In most patients, mild hypokalemia is asymptomatic, while those with moderate-to-severe hypokalemia tend to show more prominent symptoms. In patients with a potassium level of 2.5 milliequivalents/liter (mEq/L) or lower, symptoms such as muscle cramps or weakness, rhabdomyolysis, and myoglobinuria tend to arise. These manifestations can lead to more debilitating consequences, such as renal failure secondary to rhabdomyolysis or respiratory failure secondary to muscle weakness. Other symptoms such as ileus, nausea, and vomiting, as well as cardiac arrhythmia and abnormalities, are also associated. Here we would like to present a patient with a potassium level of 1.4 mEq/L secondary to furosemide who presents to the emergency department with only complaints of muscle spasms for the past few days.