Hypokalemic rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure. Occurrence following total parenteral nutrition

S. M. Nadel, J. W. Jackson and D. W. Ploth

A patient experienced severe hypokalemia in the setting of prolonged nasogastric suction and total parenteral nutrition. Severe rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure ensued. Review of the literature failed to disclose a similar case of hypokalemic rhabdomyolysis and acute renal failure, although the syndrome has been associated with other causes of hypokalemia, and its pathophysiology has been investigated in experimental models. The morbidity associated with extensive myonecrosis and severe, acute renal failure in this patient indicates that hypokalemia and other electrolyte abnormalities should be aggressively corrected in similar clinical settings.