Saturday 3 March 2012

Hyperkalaemia

A 58 year old man on haemodialysis presents with profound weakness after a weekend fishing trip.


This man's serum potassium was 9.6 mmol/L.

Hyperkalaemia

The following changes may be seen in hyperkalaemia

  • small or absent P waves
  • atrial fibrillation
  • wide QRS
  • shortened or absent ST segment
  • wide, tall and tented T waves
  • ventricular fibrillation