A Fatal Adverse Effect of Barbiturate Coma Therapy: Dyskalemia.
10.13004/kjnt.2016.12.2.156
- Author:
Hyun Mook KWON
1
;
Jin Wook BAEK
;
Sang Pyung LEE
;
Jae Ik CHO
Author Information
1. Department of Neurosurgery, Cheju Halla Hospital, Jeju, Korea. hixos@naver.com
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Hypokalemia;
Hyperkalemia;
Barbiturate;
Brain injuries
- MeSH:
Brain Injuries;
Coma*;
Humans;
Hyperkalemia;
Hypokalemia;
Hypotension;
Immunosuppression;
Intracranial Pressure
- From:Korean Journal of Neurotrauma
2016;12(2):156-158
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The management guideline for traumatic brain injury (TBI) recommends high-dose barbiturate therapy to control increased intracranial pressure refractory to other therapeutic options. High-dose barbiturate therapy, however, may cause many severe side effects; the commonly recognized ones include hypotension, immunosuppression, hepatic dysfunction, renal dysfunction, and prolonged decrease of cortical activity. Meanwhile, dyskalemia remains relatively uncommon. In this study, we report the case of a hypokalemic patient with severe rebound hyperkalemia, which occurred as a result of barbiturate coma therapy administered for TBI treatment.
