HYPERKALEMIA - A CASE REPORT

<p>In clinical hyperkalemia, correlation between plasma K and the ECG is less reliable. A tall, peaked, symmetrical T wave with a narrow base, the so-called "tented" T wave is the earlinest ECG abnormality, usually best seen in leads II, III, V2, V3, and V4. The tented appearance and the narrow base are probably more characteristic of hyperkalemia than is the amplitude of the T wave. A decrease in amplitude of the R wave, appearance of a prominent S wave, widening of the QRS complex, depression of the ST segment evolve as plasma K approaches 8-9m Eq/liter. With hyperkaliemia, depression of intraventricular conduction is characteristically diffuse and results in prolongation of both the initial and terminal parts of the QRS complex. The resulting pattern may resemble RBBB, LBBB, left anterior or posterior divisional block, or a combination of the four.</p>