While the classic electrocardiographic (EKG) findings of hyperkalemia are well known to clinicians, the association between hyperkalemia and bradycardia is not widely appreciated. Three cases of profound bradycardia due to hyperkalemia in patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) on hemodialysis are described to provide a base for discussion of specific issues in the management of such patients. The patients presented with hyperkalemia and severe bradycardia that did not improve after administration of atropine. Urgent hemodialysis in two cases led to resolution of the bradycardia. In the third case, the failure to recognize that bradycardia was the consequence of the hyperkalemia led to unnecessary interventions and delays in initiating dialysis. These cases highlight the causal relation between hyperkalemia and bradycardia in ESRD patients and emphasize the need for increased awareness of this association.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.5414/CN107529 | DOI Listing |
Clin Pract Cases Emerg Med
November 2024
Sidra Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine, Ar-Rayyan, Qatar.
Case Presentation: A 13-month-old child with past medical history of congenital adrenal insufficiency presented to the emergency department with vomiting and diarrhea. Initially the child was noticed to have bradycardia with normal blood pressure. An electrocardiogram (ECG) showed tall T waves, broad QRS complex, and widened PR interval suggestive of severe hyperkalemia.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBRASH syndrome characterized by bradycardia, renal dysfunction, atrioventricular nodal blockade (AVNB), shock, and hyperkalemia presents diagnostic and management challenges due to its complex pathophysiology and varied clinical presentations. We describe a 90-year-old woman with a history of multiple comorbidities who was on beta blockers bisoprolol for heart failure, presented with shock, refractory hyperkalemia along with bradycardia that required intermittent hemodialysis. Initial management involved aggressive hyperkalemia medical therapy and fluid resuscitation, with subsequent consideration of renal replacement therapy hemodialysis following collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, including cardiology and nephrology specialists.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCureus
October 2024
Emergency Medicine, Kanto Central Hospital, Setagaya-Ku, JPN.
BRASH syndrome, characterized by bradycardia, renal failure, atrioventricular (AV) nodal blockade, shock, and hyperkalemia, is a recently identified syndrome typically caused by the interplay of electrolyte imbalances and medications such as beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers. This report presents the case of a 79-year-old woman with a history of epilepsy and hypertension, managed with carbamazepine, lamotrigine, and antihypertensive medications. She developed BRASH syndrome following reduced fluid intake and worsening renal function.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCureus
October 2024
Internal Medicine, Unidade Local de Saúde de Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Chaves, PRT.
BRASH, an acronym for Bradycardia, Renal failure, AV nodal blockers, Shock, and Hyperkalemia, syndrome is a clinical synergic phenomenon that can result in cardiovascular collapse. We present the case of an 83-year-old woman with dilated cardiomyopathy, heart failure, and chronic kidney disease who was admitted to the emergency room due to syncope and a worsening general condition. The patient was on several medications, including carvedilol, a beta-blocker.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCase Rep Vet Med
November 2024
Anaesthesia Department, Moorong Veterinary Clinic, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia.
A 3-year-old female neutered greyhound presented for a dental procedure under general anesthesia. At the time of presentation, the dog was clinically well, with no health concerns from the client except for halitosis. The dog underwent general anesthesia with 13 teeth extracted and was stable until a severe, acute bradycardia was noticed at 2 h and 20 min postinduction.
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