Hyperkalemic cardiac arrest, prolonged heart massage and simultaneous hemodialysis.
A 53 year old diabetic patient underwent CABG and aortic valve replacement in another institution and developed postoperative oliguric and hyperkalemic acute renal failure. Shortly after transferring to our unit a cardiac arrest occurred. Immediate resuscitative measures were ineffective. The serum potassium level was 10.2 mmol/l. Conventional arteriovenous hemodialysis was initiated while the patient was still undergoing cardiac massage. When the serum potassium level was lowered to 6.5 mmol/l, 90 min later, the heart began to beat. After hemodialysis was discontinued the patient was reactive and fully conscious. The use of simultaneous hemodialysis with prolonged mechanical heart massage as a reliable method for recovery in hyperkalemic cardiac standstill is stressed.
Torrecilla
C
C
Intensive Care Unit, Clinica Puerta de Hierro, Madrid, Spain.
de la Serna
J L
JL
D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000150:complications; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D006947:Hyperkalemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D012151:Resuscitation