title: Reverse pseudohyperkalemia in heparin plasma samples from a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the spurious high potassium results in heparin plasma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Potassium values from heparin plasma, serum, and whole blood in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia were determined and compared on chemistry and blood gas analyzers.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Potassium levels were strikingly elevated in heparin plasma compared to serum or whole blood in which the potassium levels were surprisingly normal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The phenomenon of reverse pseudohyperkalemia should be publicized.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Royal University Hospital, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada. qing.meng@usask.ca
authors.forename: Qing H
authors.initials: QH
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Krahn
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006947:Hyperkalemia / Q000097:blood*; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000097:blood*; D010949:Plasma / Q000737:chemistry*; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D044967:Serum / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D011188:Potassium