Pseudohyperkalemia Due to Release of Potassium from White Blood Cells during Clotting

HYPERKALEMIA, such as occurs in renal failure or adrenal insufficiency, is associated with cardiac and neuromuscular abnormalities. Hartmann and his co-workers1 , 2 reported the phenomenon of pseudohyperkalemia, an elevation of serum potassium that does not reflect the level of plasma potassium in vivo. They concluded that the high potassium in serum developed in vitro by leakage from platelets during the clotting process.In the present study 2 patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia who demonstrated pseudohyperkalemia were investigated. A third patient in whom the phenomenon was demonstrated only by special study is included. In contrast to previous reports, the white cells and . . .