Primary aldosteronism presenting as myoglobinuric acute renal failure

Abstract

Hypokalemia is an uncommon cause of rhabdomyolysis with acute tubular necrosis. We recently treated a patient in whom severe hypokalemia attributed to diuretic therapy antedated acute myoglobinuric renal failure by six months. After recovery, hypokalemia persisted and subsequent evaluation disclosed primary aldosteronism. This case is a unique presentation for primary aldosteronism and illustrates the importance of diagnosis before treatment in hypertension as well as the hazards of hypokalemia.