Hyperkalaemia

• What is serum potassium above in hyperkalaemia?

  >5.5mmol/L
• What level is potassium above in severe hyperkalaemia?

  >6.5mmol/L
• What ECG features would you expect to find in hyperkalaemia?

  Tall tented T waves

  Prolonged PR interval

  Widened QRS complexes
• How do you manage mild/moderate hyperkalaemia?

  Look for underlying causes such as AKI, rhabdomyolysis, medications
• How do you manage severe hyperkalaemia?

  Cardiac monitoring

  Stabilise myocardium with IV calcium e.g. calcium chloride/calcium gluconate

  Shift potassium intracellularly with Insulin/dextrose infusion. Can also use nebulised salbutamol.

  Identify and treat the underlying cause e.g. spironolactone