Succinylcholine-Induced Hyperkalemia In Burned Patients - 1

Analgesia, Sedation, and Therapeutic Paralysis in the Critically Ill

“…Increases in plasma potassium of 0.5 to 1 meq/L are common, but in patients with burns, multiple trauma, or rhabdomyolysis, hyperkalemia may be life-threatening. [221][222][223][224][225] Moreover, patients with increased numbers of acetylcholine receptors secondary to the denervation hypersensitivity of neuromuscular disease are especially prone to hyperkalemia. Vomiting secondary to abdominal muscle contraction and postparalysis muscle pain commonly result from succinylcholine use but may be attenuated by pre treating with a subparalyzing (10 to 15% of the usual) dose of a nondepolarizing blocker.…”

Can Succinylcholine be Used Safely in Severely Burn Patients?

“…7 The cause was found to be a high plasma potassium level immediately following the administration of the muscle relaxants. 8, 9 There are some case reports and letters have been published reporting hyperkalemia after administration of succinylcholine to patients with burn. In our study we also found mild increase in serum potassium (k + ) level after administration of succinylcholine but we couldn't call it hyperkaleamia (serum potassium (k + ) > 5.5 mEq/ l).…”

Variations in Serum Potassium and Serum Cholinesterase Activity After Induction with Althesin®‐Suxamethonium and Thiopentone‐Suxamethonium

“…The changes in serum potassium after suxamethonium in normal healthy adults rarely exceeds 0.5 mEq/l no matter what induction agent is used (LIST 1967). In burned and traumatized patients and in patients with certain neuromuscular diseases or tetanus, the increase in serum potassium may be much more pronounced and may reach dangerous levels (SCHANER et al 1969, MAZZE et al 1969, COOPERMAN 1970, ROTH & W~~THRICH 1969. STOVNER et al (1972) compared the changes in serum potassium after induction of anaesthesia with thiopentone, diazepam, propanidid and halothane-nitrous oxide and found no significant difference between the three intravenous induction agents (0.20, 0.25 and 0.31 mEq/l respectively), but a significantly higher increase after halothanenitrous oxide induction (0.49 mEq/l).…”