Probable fatal cardiac dysrhythmia secondary to diuretic-induced hypokalemia

This case study describes the investigation of the sudden, unexpected death of a young, slightly hypertensive woman. She had a previous history pf serious hypokalemic-induced cardiac dysrhythmias associated with diuretic usage. Postmortem examination revealed no anatomic cause for her death. Her agonal plasma potassium, 5.4 mmol/L, seemed too low in light of her extreme acidosis, hypoxemia, and emergency treatment. Diuretic analysis indicated surreptitious ingestion of hydrochlorothiazide. Hypokalemia and the control of serum potassium concentration are discussed as are various modifiers of serum potassium.