Core IM | Internal Medicine Podcast #93 Hyperkalemia in CKD: Mind the Gap Segment
24 snips
Nov 17, 2021 AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
ED Referral for Hyperkalemia
- For potassium levels over 6.0 mEq/L, send the patient to the ED, especially if the increase is sudden.
- If the potassium is below 6.0 mEq/L, but increased rapidly from normal, it should also be taken seriously.
EKG Changes in Hyperkalemia
- EKG changes are not a reliable indicator of hyperkalemia severity.
- A normal EKG doesn't rule out risk, as changes can appear later, even with very high potassium.
Case Report: Delayed EKG Changes
- A 77-year-old patient had a potassium level of 8.5 with a normal EKG.
- Six days later, with potassium again at 8.6, he developed a sine wave pattern on EKG.