Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis Case Accompanied with Cardiac Arrhythmia

Introduction: Hypokalemic periodic paralysis (HPP) is a disease characterized by intermittent attacks of muscle weakness occurring at irregular intervals and accompanied by episodic hypokalemia. The most common cause of HPP is familial periodic paralysis, which is an autosomal dominantly inherited congenital disease. The serum potassium level is low during the attack due to the shift of potassium into muscle cells, but it is normal between attacks. Attacks of muscle weakness may be triggered or enhanced by high carbohydrate food consumption, emotional stress, cold, resting after strenuous exercise, drugs (such as glucocorticosteroids), insulin and diuretics, preceding infections, and pregnancy. Case Report: We hereby present a 31-year-old male patient admitted to emergency services who had suddenly developed muscle weakness in his upper and lower extremities. Hypopotassemia was observed on the blood test, the electrocardiography was a Mobitz type I atrioventricular block, and the patient was diagnosed with familial periodic paralysis (PP). Conclusion: Familial HPP is diagnosed if there are recurrent attacks of paralysis that are reversible with potassium replacement and hypopotassemia, without any apparent cause of hypopotassemia.