[Atrial arrest and intraventricular conduction disorders due to accidental hyperkalemia during kidney transplantation].

Besides anemia, coagulopathies, and hypertension, electrolyte disturbances are among the most significant features of end-stage renal disease. Although plasma potassium represents only 1.5%-2% of the whole-body content, hyperkalemia has definite effects on cardiac pacemaker cells and myocardial conduction. The typical ECG findings and therapeutic management will be discussed. Case report. A 64-year-old man with chronic renal failure due to phenacetin abuse was scheduled for transplantation of a 41-h-old cadaver kidney. The preoperative laboratory check revealed BUN 51 mg% and creatinine 11.5 mg%; serum sodium and potassium were within normal limits (sodium 141 mmol/l, potassium 5.11 mmol/l). A central-venous blood gas sample after induction of anesthesia and intubation revealed pH of 7.32, pCO2 43 mmHg, HCO3 22.1 mmol/l, base excess - 3.4 mmol/l, and venous oxygen saturation 84%. Plasma potassium (5.22 mmol/l) was within the normal range. As an endarterectomy of the left common and external iliac arteries had to be performed, the arterial cross-clamping time was longer than normal (73 min). After declamping an ECG pattern (modified V5 lead) typical of hyperkalemia (atrial arrest, idioventricular rhythm, right bundle-branch block-like QRS, AV dissociation, AV block I) was observed. Plasma potassium had increased to 6.77 mmol/l (+1.55 mmol/l). Immediate treatment was started with a bolus injection of 20 ml 10% calcium gluconate, rapid infusion of 200 ml 8.4% sodium bicarbonate, and glucose-insulin infusion (glucose 33 1/3%, 15 U regular insulin). After 25 min sinus rhythm was restored and potassium levels decreased to normal. Despite the observed ECG changes the cardiovascular status remained stable.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)