Aggressive Hyperkalemia Treatment in the Prehospital Setting

This is a case of profound unstable hyperkalemia encountered in the American pre-hospital 911 setting, with subsequent aggressive treatment and stabilization. Although hyperkalemia may be present in the prehospital setting, it is difficult to diagnose without laboratory testing or a reliable history of illness. It is frequently encountered in the pre-hospital setting, especially in communities with high levels of comorbidities and multiple dialysis centers. However, in the spectrum of hyperkalemia presentations, many of these patients are either early in their disease presentation or found when already in cardiac arrest. Early identification and rapid, aggressive treatment are paramount to decreasing morbidity and mortality in these patient populations. This case shows how aggressive prehospital critical care can have a significant impact on patient outcomes.