Electrocardiogram findings of patients with serum potassium levels of nearly 10.0 mmol/L: a report of two cases. Issue 4 (19th May 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kotera, Atsushi; Irie, Hiroki; Iwashita, Shinsuke; Taniguchi, Junichi; Kasaoka, Shunji; Sagishima, Katsuyuki; Kamohara, Hidenobu; Kinoshita, Yoshihiro
• Is Part Of: Acute medicine & surgery. Volume 1:Issue 4(2014)
• Page Start: 234
• Page End: 237
• Publication Date: 2014-05-19
• Subjects: Surgery -- Periodicals; Medical emergencies -- Periodicals; 617.005
• DOI: 10.1002/ams2.45
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2052-8817

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="ams245-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Cases</title> <p>In Case 1, a 63‐year‐old woman was admitted with muscular weakness. She had hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and chronic renal failure on hemodialysis. She was taking a beta‐blocker. Her pulse rate was 42 b.p.m. (irregular rhythm); serum potassium level was 9.8 mmol/L; electrocardiogram revealed widening of the QRS complex (0.256 s). In Case 2, a 59‐year‐old man was admitted with muscular weakness. He had hypertension and chronic renal failure, and was taking a renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitor. His pulse rate was 42 b.p.m. (irregular rhythm); serum potassium level was 10.1 mmol/L; electrocardiogram revealed widening of the QRS complex (0.180 s).</p> </sec> <sec id="ams245-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Outcome</title> <p>Life‐threatening arrhythmia did not occur, and patients survived under appropriate treatment.</p> </sec> <sec id="ams245-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>Chronic renal failure, diabetes mellitus, or medications affecting extrarenal potassium homeostasis can produce a tolerance to hyperkalemia. This tolerance may help prevent life‐threatening arrhythmia despite fatal levels of serum potassium.</p> </sec> </abstract>