Hyperkalemia can cause ST segment elevation mimicking acute myocardial infarction, which resolves with potassium-lowering therapy, highlighting the importance of rapid bedside potassium testing to avoid unnecessary interventions.
Hyperkalemia-induced ST elevation may mimic STEMI and resolve with K correction; this case report leaves open whether immediate bedside testing avoids unnecessary interventions.
Hyperkalemia is an acute life-threatening disorder presenting to the emergency department. Patients with hyperkalemia may manifest characteristic electrocardiographic changes including tented T waves, widening of the QRS complex and loss of P waves, sine wave pattern and eventually asystole. There have been only few reports of hyperkalemia causing ST segment elevation on electrocardiogram simulating an acute myocardial infarction. This case describes pseudo-myocardial infarction due to hyperkalemia and septic shock. Rapid determination of serum potassium levels by bedside blood gas analyzers serves to be a useful guide. ST segment elevation related to hyperkalemia will resolve with successful reduction of the serum potassium levels by appropriate therapy. It is important for physicians to be aware of this condition as this will aid in initiating correct therapy and prevent the patient from unnecessary interventions and the associated risk of complications.
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Sohil Pothiawala (2014) studied this question.
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