22/05/2026
โ ๏ธ Hyperkalemia
The Electrolyte Emergency That Can Stop the Heart Within Minutes
Hyperkalemia is a potentially life-threatening electrolyte disturbance that can rapidly lead to fatal cardiac arrhythmias and sudden cardiac arrest if not recognized early.
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๐ Definition
๐น Hyperkalemia:
Potassium level > 5.5 mEq/L
๐น Severe Hyperkalemia:
Potassium โฅ 6.5 mEq/L or ECG changes present
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๐ Common Causes
โ Renal Failure
๐ฉบ The most common cause due to impaired potassium excretion.
โก Medications
๐ Common drugs include:
ACE inhibitors
ARBs
Spironolactone
NSAIDs
โข Metabolic Acidosis
โก Hydrogen ions move into cells while potassium shifts out.
โฃ Tissue Breakdown
๐ฅ Seen in:
Rhabdomyolysis
Burns
Crush injuries
Tumor lysis syndrome
โค Excess Potassium Intake
๐ฅ Especially dangerous in patients with chronic kidney disease.
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๐จ Clinical Features
๐ง Symptoms
Muscle weakness
Fatigue
Palpitations
Paresthesia
โค๏ธ Severe Manifestations
Flaccid paralysis
Ventricular arrhythmias
Sudden cardiac arrest
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๐ ECG Changes in Hyperkalemia
๐ข Early Changes
Tall peaked T waves
๐ก Progressive Changes
PR prolongation
Flattened or absent P waves
Widened QRS complex
๐ด Life-Threatening Changes
Sine wave pattern
Ventricular fibrillation
Asystole
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๐ Emergency Management
โ Stabilize the Cardiac Membrane
๐ IV Calcium Gluconate
โก Shift Potassium Into Cells
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Insulin + Dextrose
Nebulized Salbutamol
Sodium bicarbonate (if acidosis present)
โข Remove Potassium From the Body
๐ฉบ
Loop diuretics
Potassium binders
Hemodialysis
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๐ก High-Yield Clinical Pearl
โTreat the ECG, not just the potassium level.โ
Even moderately elevated potassium can produce dangerous ECG changes requiring immediate intervention.
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โ ๏ธ Hyperkalemia is a silent but deadly emergency.
๐ซ Early recognition of ECG changes can save a life.