system
Medical AI Inquiry: You were designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.
user
A 40-year-old paraplegic is taken to the OR for cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. She is given succinylcholine before intubation. Immediately after induction of anesthesia, she develops cardiac arrest. What is the most likely cause?
assistant
The correct answer is  Administration of a depolarizing anesthetic agent such as succinylcholine in quadriplegics, in paraplegics, or after burns and severe trauma can result in life-threatening hyperkalemia from release of intracellular potassium.