A case of undiagnosed pseudohyperkalaemia following a splenectomy

Age and Ageing
Marco Grech

Abstract

Pseudohyperkalaemia is defined as a rise in serum potassium with concomitantly normal plasma potassium. The case of long undiagnosed pseudohyperkalaemia in an 84-year-old lady with thrombocytosis post splenectomy is presented. Presenting a historical perspective and the multifactorial aetiology of pseudohyperkalaemia the author underlines the importance of detecting apparent hyperkalaemia by testing the plasma potassium. Awareness of the possible causes of pseudohyperkalaemia increases the likelihood of it being detected earlier thereby decreasing the risk of harming the patient. Unnecessary treatment and investigation of pseudohyperkalaemia can cause harm to the patient in the form of undesired side effects, unnecessary investigations and concerns, and potentially dangerous iatrogenically induced cardiac arrhythmias.

References

Feb 17, 1966·The New England Journal of Medicine·W R BronsonE Cotlove
May 30, 2008·Journal of Clinical Oncology : Official Journal of the American Society of Clinical Oncology·Kathryn J RuddyJennifer R Brown

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Feb 4, 2021·La Revue de médecine interne·E Le GoffT Hanslik

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Arrhythmia

Arrhythmias are abnormalities in heart rhythms, which can be either too fast or too slow. They can result from abnormalities of the initiation of an impulse or impulse conduction or a combination of both. Here is the latest research on arrhythmias.

Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia that is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, particularly due to stroke and thromboembolism. Here is the latest research.

Related Papers

South African Medical Journal = Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif Vir Geneeskunde
N E Parker, P Jacobs
Annals of the Royal College of Surgeons of England
R Wilson, R T Skelly
British Medical Journal
D J KerrJ H Dagg
International Journal of Clinical Practice
S Bandyopadhyay, S Banerjee
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved