[4 cases of potassium enteropathy]

The oral use of enteric-coated potassium chloride (and apparently of its slow-release form too) to compensate potassium loss during thiazide diuretic treatment may engender ischemic enteropathy. This iatrogenic condition is linked to the vaso-active properties of KCl, which act on blood vessels often damaged by hypertension or chronic heart failure. Four observations are presented involving stenosing ulceration or perforation of the small bowel following oral KCl treatment. The main clinical, pathological and therapeutic aspects are discussed.