Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 17, 2026

Swimming Induced Paralysis to Assess Dopamine Signaling in Caenorhabditis elegans
Published on: April 3, 2019
Hyperkalemic ascending paralysis
M McCarty1, A Jagoda, P Fairweather
1Department of Emergency Medicine, Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center, New York, NY, USA.
Abstract:
Hyperkalemia is a life-threatening electrolyte disturbance. The clinical presentation is most commonly related to its effects on cardiac conductivity and contractility, although weakness and respiratory compromise may occur. We describe what we believe to be the first reported case of life-threatening hyperkalemia presenting as an ascending paralysis which was associated with standard-dose trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole therapy. The patient had mild, underlying renal disease which predisposed him to develop hyperkalemia. This case underscores the need to use caution in prescribing trimethoprim to such patients.
Related Concept Videos
Dysrhythmias IV: Characteristics of Bradyarrhythmias
Tetanus
Botulism
Cytotoxic Edema: Pathophysiology
Alterations in Muscle Tone ll
Secondary Spinal Cord Injury llI: Pathophysiology

