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Hypokalemia
Background
Overview
Definition
Hypokalemia refers to the presence of serum potassium levels < 3.6 mmol/L.
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Pathophysiology
Potassium depletion occurs due to inadequate dietary intake, increased renal excretion (e.g., due to diuretic therapy), or increased gastrointestinal losses in the context of diarrhea.
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Epidemiology
Hypokalemia is the most common electrolyte disorder encountered in clinical practice.
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Disease course
Manifestations of hypokalemia include muscle weakness, ileus, and cardiac arrhythmias. Typical electrocardiographic changes include flat or inverted T waves, ST-segment depression, and prominent U waves.
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Prognosis and risk of recurrence
Severe untreated hypokalemia can lead to rhabdomyolysis and malignant cardiac arrhythmias, such as VT and VF.
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Guidelines
Key sources
The following summarized guidelines for the evaluation and management of hypokalemia are prepared by our editorial team based on guidelines from the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP 2023,2015) and the National Council on Potassium in Clinical Practice (NCPCP 2000).
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