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‘Near-miss’ hyperkalaemic cardiac arrest associated with rapid blood transfusion

✍ Scribed by B. Carvalho; N. F. Quiney


Publisher
John Wiley and Sons
Year
1999
Tongue
English
Weight
66 KB
Volume
54
Category
Article
ISSN
0003-2409

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✦ Synopsis


A case is presented in which a relatively modest blood transfusion resulted in acute hyperkalaemia with a ‘near‐miss’ cardiac arrest. While transfusion‐related hyperkalaemia usually occurs in association with massive transfusions, several factors may have increased the risk of such an acute reaction. A high index of suspicion is required, especially in patients with risk factors. Anaesthetists should not be lulled into a false sense of security simply because modest volumes of blood are being transfused.