Electrographic alterations induced by hyperkalaemia simulating acute myocardial infarction.
In general, severe hyperkalaemia produces classic electrocardiographic manifestations including tenting of T waves, widening of the QRS complex, loss of P waves, and eventually, sine waves and asystole. This report concerns a patient with chronic renal failure on maintenance haemodialysis who developed a severe hyperkalaemia associated with chest pain, manifested electrocardiographically by elevation of the S-T segment resembling acute myocardial infarction. After haemodialysis, serum potassium decreased and the electrocardiogram returned to normal. We review the literature and discuss the possible physiology of this electrocardiographic alteration.
Campistol
J M
JM
Nephrology Service, Hospital Clinic i Provincial, University of Barcelona, Spain.
Almirall
J
J
Montoliu
J
J
Revert
L
L
D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006947:Hyperkalemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007676:Kidney Failure, Chronic / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006435:Renal Dialysis