Hyperkalaemia

Headline
Etiology Decreased renal clearance; ↑ cell lysis → release of intracellular contents (Tumour lysis syndrome, Rhabdomyolysis)...?
Epidemiology
Clinical presentation Non-specific. Muscle weakness. Eventually causing arrhythmias.
ECG changes:
- Peaked T waves
- P wave widening/flattening, PR prolongation
- Bradyarrhythmias: sinus bradycardia, high-grade AV block with slow junctional and ventricular escape rhythms, slow AF
- Conduction blocks (bundle branch block, fascicular blocks)
- QRS widening with bizarre QRS morphology
Pathogenesis reduction in resting membrane potential causes ECG changes and arrhythmias.
Diagnostic investigations I mean.
Look for underlying causes
Management - Calcium to stabilise cardiomyocyte cell membrane - calcium chloride or gluconate (¼ the elemental Ca of chloride)
- Insulin dextrose - shift K intracellularly
- Lokelma, zirconium - excrete in stool
Complications:
Prevention