Emergency Care

Drugs that prolong QT Interval - from ArizonaCERT | Center for Education and Research on Therapeutics

Emergency Care for Attacks of Thyrotoxic Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis

Patients with Thyrotoxic Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis typically present at the ER with an acute episode of paralysis involving the muscles of the extremities and limb girdles caused by hyperthyroidism. This is a true endocrine emergency. Respiratory and cardiac arrest are possible.  read more

• Physician's Sheet for Thyrotoxic Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis
• Hospital Management Guidelines for Thyrotoxic Periodic Paralysis Patients

Emergency Care for Attacks of Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis

Paralytic attacks of Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis can cause cardiac and/or respiratory distress or arrest.  Patients may become unable to cough and may choke on their own secretions or on vomit. Attacks of profound paralysis or ones in which there is cardiac or respiratory distress require immediate emergency medical attention. read more

• Physician's Sheet for Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis
• Anesthesia in Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis
• Hospital Management Guidelines - HypoKPP

Emergency Care for Attacks in Andersen-Tawil Syndrome

Andersen-Tawil syndrome (ATS) is characterized by the triad of periodic paralysis, distinctive dysmorphic features, ventricular arrhythmias and prolonged QT interval. Patients with ATS may present to the ER with an attack of weakness/paralysis and/or cardiac rhythm disturbances or prolonged QT interval. Uncommonly they may come to the ER after an injury due to syncope, or very rarely, due to cardiac arrest. read more

• Physician's Sheet on Andersen-Tawil Syndrome
• Hospital Management Guidelines - ATS

Emergency Care for Attacks in Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis and Paramyotonia Congenita

Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis and Paramyotonia Congenita can occur singly or in combination. While most attacks of Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis are brief and do not require emergency intervention, occasionally the serum potassium level will be high enough to cause cardiac distress, or myotonia may interfere with respiration.  Attacks of weakness in Paramytonia Congenita are usually mild to moderate in severity, but myotonia of chest, diaphragm and throat muscles can be life-threatening under some circumstances. read more

Anesthesia in Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis and Paramyotonia Congenita

• Physician's Sheet for Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis
• Physician's Sheet for Paramyotonia Congenita
• Hospital Management Guideline Form - HyperKPP