Is hypokalaemia the cause of paralysis in barium poisoning?

Abstract

warming can be successful. We concur with Althaus that below 270C life is difficult to detect and the diagnosis obscured,3 and with Coniam that resuscitation should not be abandoned in a case of hypothermia until the patient has been adequately rewarmed.4 Disturbing patients with hypothermia may precipitate ventricular fibrillation (as intubation did in this patient). These patients should, therefore, be handled gently and not intubated unless ventilation is inadequate or protective reflexes absent as they were in this case.