Hypokalaemic periodic paralysis and cardiomyopathy

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Cardiological examinations, including echocardiography, in 9 members of a family suffering from hypokalemic periodic paralysis, associated with permanent muscular weakness were reported. The studies were performed in periods between attacks of paralysis. The slowly progressive permanent muscular weakness which is found in most of the patients with hypokalemic periodic paralysis resembles a limb-girdle type dystrophy. Involvement of cardiac muscle is not uncommon in patients with limb-girdle dystrophy. Using a combination of echocardiography and ECG examination, nowadays the most sensitive screening method for the detection of cardiomyopathy, no evidence was obtained for cardiac involvement in hypokalemic periodic paralysis patients with permanent muscular weakness.