As the DA you are paged to come to PACU to review a patient with pre-eclampsia who has just had a PPH and a repair of a perineal tear after delivering in labour ward. The O&G team ordered a VBG because she was febrile and they want to assess her lactate and start her on some antibiotics. The O&G registrar is concerned however because her potassium / K has come back as 7.8 mmol/L….

Join Natalie and I as we discuss the issue of hyperkalaemia specifically in the context of women suffering from pre-eclampsia. Why are they at risk of this important electrolyte abnormality and what are the principles of management?

We also review a recent paper addressing some of the myths surrounding the treatment of acute hyperkalaemia (thanks to Casey at Broomedocs.com for bringing this paper to our attention).

Gupta AA, Self M, Mueller M, Wardi G, Tainter C. Dispelling myths and misconceptions about the treatment of acute hyperkalemia. Am J Emerg Med. 2022 Feb;52:85-91. doi: 10.1016/j.ajem.2021.11.030. PMID: 34890894

LITFL, ECG library, Hyperkalaemia

A case of probable labetalol induced hyperkalaemia in pre-eclampsia. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25370900

Hypocalcaemia and hyperkalaemia during magnesium infusion therapy in a pre-eclamptic patient https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4614650

Oh’s Intensive Care Manual. 7th Edition. Chapter 93 – Fluid and Electrolyte Therapy. Bersten A, Soni N et al. 2014.