Severe hypokalaemia causing acute resiratory failure

Mechanisms by which systemic salbutamol increases ventilation

“…Low potassium levels could predispose patients to more serious tachyarrhythmias, this risk being compounded by the reduction in serum levels of magnesium seen with systemic SAL 5 . Hypokalaemia can also lead to muscle weakness that may impair respiratory function 27 . Hyperglycaemia is of obvious concern for those patients with both asthma and insulin‐requiring diabetes mellitus.…”

“…5 Hypokalaemia can also lead to muscle weakness that may impair respiratory function. 27 Hyperglycaemia is of obvious concern for those patients with both asthma and insulin-requiring diabetes mellitus. Ketoacidosis due to SAL has been described in the obstetric literature.…”

Profound hypokalemia causing respiratory failure in a cat with hyperaldosteronism

“…Rhabdomyolysis and ileus may eventually result from continued hypokalemia 4–6 . Profound hypokalemia (serum potassium <2 mEq/L) has been shown to lead to respiratory muscle fatigue and ventilatory failure in humans 10–13 and has also been associated with dyspnea in cats 3,4,14,15 …”

“…Potassium loss may occur via the gastrointestinal tract 10 or, more usually, via the kidneys. Excessive renal potassium loss has been associated with severe osmotic diuresis, 8,11 renal tubular acidosis, 12,16 excessive use of loop or thiazide diuretics, or mineralocorticoid or glucocorticoid excess 16,17 . Aldosterone‐secreting tumors are relatively rare in cats 18 .…”

Hypokalemia at the Time of Admission to the Intensive Care Unit (Icu) Increases the Need for Mechanical Ventilation and Time of Ventilation in Critically Ill Trauma Patients

“…Also, the investigation by Beal[2] and Morell,[7] showed that hypokalemia caused longer ICU stays. In another study, in 40% of the patients, hypokalemia was found for the first time on days one to four of their ICU stay.…”