severe hyperkalemia can cause marked electrocardiographic (ECG) changes that may lead to cardiac arrest (Castellanos et al., 2004). Rarely, it may also result in muscle paralysis and hypoventilation.
Associated DisordersTissue trauma associated with mechanical injury, surgery or burns, as well as rhabdomyolysis, certain blood disorders, sickle cell disease or other disorders can cause a release of potassium into the extracellular fluid and blood. Whereas with normal renal function the kidneys excrete the excess potassium, these conditions can result in hyperkalemia if kidney function is compromised. ☆ Change History: July 2014. CM Kieffer added Abstract and Keywords sections, updated etiology and standard therapies.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.