Acute hyperkalemia is a life-threatening event and often occurs abruptly and without warning in the perioperative field. Risk factors are found on multiple levels as they can derive from a patients pre-existing condition or result from the surgical intervention or management of anesthesia. The therapy of hyperkalemia depends on the dimensions of electrolyte disturbance and a distinction can be made between therapeutic measures with a rapid and those with a long-term effect.
Zentrum für Anästhesiologie und Intensivmedizin, Klinik und Poliklinik für Anästhesiologie, Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20247 Hamburg, Deutschland. c.olotu@uke.de
AbstractAcute hyperkalemia is a life-threatening event and often occurs abruptly and without warning in the perioperative field. Risk factors are found on multiple levels as they can derive from a patients pre-existing condition or result from the surgical intervention or management of anesthesia. The therapy of hyperkalemia depends on the dimensions of electrolyte disturbance and a distinction can be made between therapeutic measures with a rapid and those with a long-term effect.