ECG Diagnosis: Hyperkalemia

Diagnosis of hyperkalemia is usually based on laboratory studies, although the electrocardiogram (ECG) may contain changes suggestive of hyperkalemia. Typical ECG findings in hyperkalemia progress from tall, “peaked” T waves and a shortened QT interval to lengthening PR interval and loss of P waves, and then to widening of the QRS complex culminating in a “sine wave” morphology and death if not treated.1–3 Treatment of life-threatening hyperkalemia focuses on blocking the effects on myocyte transmembrane potential and cardiac conduction, as well as decreasing extracellular potassium levels.3 Calcium (intravenous calcium chloride or gluconate) can effectively block the effect of extracellular potassium elevation on cardiac myocytes within minutes by restoring a more appropriate electrical gradient across the cellular membrane.2 Sodium bicarbonate, beta-2 adrenergic agonists, and the combination of glucose and insulin all drive potassium intracellularly and lower the extracellular serum potassium level.3 Finally, excessive body potassium can be removed with sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate), whereas hemodialysis represents the definitive method to reduce serum potassium levels.2,3