title: 'Near-miss' hyperkalaemic cardiac arrest associated with rapid blood transfusion.
abstract: A case is presented in which a relatively modest blood transfusion resulted in acute hyperkalaemia with a 'near-miss' cardiac arrest. While transfusion-related hyperkalaemia usually occurs in association with massive transfusions, several factors may have increased the risk of such an acute reaction. A high index of suspicion is required, especially in patients with risk factors. Anaesthetists should not be lulled into a false sense of security simply because modest volumes of blood are being transfused.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Surrey Country Hospital, UK.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.forename: N F
authors.initials: NF
authors.lastname: Quiney
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000075202:Contraindications; D005260:Female; D006323:Heart Arrest; D006801:Humans; D006947:Hyperkalemia / Q000209:etiology*; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D012307:Risk Factors; D065227:Transfusion Reaction
chemical_list: D011188:Potassium