ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC MANIFESTATIONS OF SEVERE HYPERKALEMIA: A CASE REPORT

Abstract

Hyperkalemia is a life-threatening metabolic emergency. Delay in the treatment of hyperkalemia may lead to life-threatening consequences, even death. In this article, we presented a case of severe hyperkalemia. A 65-year-old woman was admitted to Emergency room complaints of dizziness and weakness. She was on hemodialysis (HD) three times weekly. Her heart rate was 125 per minuteand blood pressure was 80/60 mmHg. A wide QRS-complex rhythm was seen in electrocardiography. She was diagnosed as hyperkalemia. Meanwhile she was waiting for HD; she was treated with sodium bicarbonate, regular insulin, and salbutamol nebulization. Within 40 minutes, HD was performed. After HD session, she fully recovered and discharged from the hospital. In conclusion, although the severity of hyperkalemia is not correlated with ECG findings, in the presence of ECG findings, it is crucial to be evaluated these findings by emergent physicians and treated in a timely manner for this potentially life-threatening condition.   

Keywords

• Hyperkalemia,electrocardiography,emergent treatment

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