TOXICOLOGY:
Compared to hypokalemia, hyperkalemia is a relatively uncommon metabolic complication of poisoning.
Hyperkalemia follows inhibition of Na+/K+ ATPase activity (e.g. by digoxin); disruption of intermediary metabolism (e.g. cyanide poisoning); activation of K+ channels (e.g. fluoride poisoning); and the presence of metabolic acidosis (by methanol, acetyl salicylic acid etc) and rhabdomyolysis in the presence of renal failure.
CLINICAL:
•Muscle cramps or pain
•Diarrhea
•Abdominal pain
•Numbness
•Muscle weakness
•Palpitations and cardiac arrest
LABORATORY:
ECG: Raised sharp T wave, ST segment depression, absent Pwave, prolonged PR interval, wide QRS complexes
Cardiac arrhythmias (VT, VF)
Biochemistry: >6 . . .
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