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4 results

  • Treatment of Presumed Hyperkalemia in the Prehospital Setting

  • Robert McArthur, Zubaid Rafique, Brad Ward, Luis Rodriguez, Robert Dickson, Casey Patrick
  • Journal:
    Prehospital and Disaster Medicine / Volume 37 / Issue 5 / October 2022
    Published online by Cambridge University Press:
    04 August 2022, pp. 693-697
    Print publication:
    October 2022
  • Introduction:

    Hyperkalemia (HK) is common and potentially a life-threatening condition. If untreated, HK can progress to ventricular arrhythmia and cardiac arrest. Early treatment reduces mortality in HK. This study evaluates a novel protocol for identification and empiric management of presumed HK in the prehospital setting.

    Methods:

    This was a retrospective, observational chart review of a single, large, suburban Emergency Medical Services (EMS) system. Patients treated for presumed HK, with both a clinical concern for HK and electrocardiogram (ECG) changes consistent with HK, from February 2018 through February 2021 were eligible for inclusion. Patients were excluded if found to be in cardiac arrest on EMS arrival. Empiric treatment of HK included administration of calcium, sodium bicarbonate, and albuterol. Post-treatment, patients were placed on cardiac monitoring and adverse events recorded enroute to receiving hospital. Protocol compliance was assessed by two independent reviewers. Serum potassium (K) level was obtained from hospital medical records.

    Results:

    A total of 582 patients were treated for HK, of which 533 patients were excluded due to cardiac arrest prior to EMS arrival. The remaining 48 patients included in the analysis had a mean age of 56 (SD = 20) years and were 60.4% (n = 29) male with 77.1% (n = 37) Caucasian, 10.4% (n = 5) African American, and 12.5% (n = 6) Hispanic. Initial blood draw at the receiving facilities showed K >5.0mEq/L in 22 (45.8%), K of 3.5-5.0mEq/L in 23 (47.9%), and K <3.5mEq/L in three patients (6.3%). Independent review of the EMS ECG found the presence of hyperkalemic-related change in 43 (89.6%) cases, and five (10.4%) patients did not meet criteria for treatment due to lack of either appropriate ECG findings or clinical suspicion. No episodes of unstable tachyarrhythmia or cardiac arrest occurred during EMS treatment or transport.

    Conclusion:

    The study evaluated a novel protocol for detecting and managing HK in the prehospital setting. It is feasible for EMS crews to administer this protocol, although a larger study is needed to make the results generalizable.

  • 58 - Complications of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

  • from Section 9 - Infectious disease emergencies
  • Edited by Kaushal Shah, Jarone Lee, Kamal Medlej, American University of Beirut, Scott D. Weingart
  • Book:
    Practical Emergency Resuscitation and Critical Care
    Published online:
    05 November 2013
    Print publication:
    24 October 2013, pp 381-388

  • Summary

    This chapter discusses the diagnosis, evaluation and management of small bowel obstruction (SBO). It details the specific types of small bowel obstruction. Common causes of small bowel obstruction include hernias, neoplasms, intussusception, and others. Thorough history should be taken, with particular attention paid to prior SBOs, abdominal surgeries, hernias, cancer, and opiate use. The vital signs of SBO are: fever, tachycardia, hypotension, and tachypnea. The examination of the abdomen is performed by visually inspecting the abdomen for scars and distension. Rectal examination is considered with evaluation for occult blood, although diagnostic yield may below and classically the rectal vault will be empty. In laboratory evaluation findings are not specific to bowel obstruction. Results may show evidence of dehydration, acidosis, renal failure, and leukocytosis. Antibiotics are indicated with evidence of ischemia, perforation, or severe disease, although there is no good evidence supporting or refuting the use of empiric broad-spectrum antibiotics.