RESUMEN
Metformin is a widely prescribed, oral, anti-diabetic agent for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). While generally well-tolerated, metformin can accumulate in patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) or chronic kidney disease (CKD), leading to potentially life-threatening complications such as metformin-associated lactic acidosis (MALA). Severe hyperkalemia is a rare but serious manifestation of metformin toxicity. We report a case of a 74-year-old African American man with DM2, hypertension, and CKD stage 3a, who presented with nausea, vomiting, lethargy, and diarrhea. Laboratory findings revealed severe AKI with a creatinine level of 8 mg/dL (baseline 1.7 mg/dL) and a potassium level of 7.8 mEq/L. The patient developed refractory hyperkalemia requiring multiple interventions and eventually continuous renal replacement therapy. Further evaluation revealed metformin-induced severe lactic acidosis with a metformin level of 21 mcg/mL (therapeutic range <5 mcg/mL). This case highlights the importance of recognizing metformin toxicity as a potential cause of severe, refractory hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis in patients with AKI or CKD. Early recognition and prompt discontinuation of metformin, along with appropriate management of electrolyte disturbances and metabolic derangements, are crucial in preventing life-threatening complications.
RESUMEN
Hyperkalemia refractory to standard temporization measures can be life-threatening, and urgent hemodialysis is often utilized as a final resort. Our patient presented with hyperkalemia that was multifactorial in etiology, with acute kidney injury complicated by adrenal insufficiency. Her hyperkalemia was refractory to temporization and excretion agents, and hemodialysis was being considered. Given a recent infection, surgery, and borderline hypotension with low adrenocorticotropic hormone, there was a concern for adrenal insufficiency. However, a full investigation for secondary adrenal insufficiency via magnetic resonance imaging could not be conducted as the patient suffered from claustrophobia. Continued concern for adrenal insufficiency prompted the initiation of intravenous hydrocortisone, and the patient's hyperkalemia resolved within 24 hours. While suspected adrenal insufficiency is already a basis for stress-dose steroids in the setting of pathologies such as severe sepsis, clinicians should have a low threshold for considering refractory hyperkalemia alone as an indication for stress-dose steroids. When dialysis is being considered as an option, this treatment modality should be given even more consideration. Adopting this practice may not only lead to improved mortality from hyperkalemia but also lead to fewer patients being exposed to the risks of dialysis.
RESUMEN
We present a case involving an 87-year-old woman who had a hyperkalemic emergency. This condition was further complicated by complete heart block (CHB) and seizure-like activity. This case emphasizes the challenge of differentiating between seizures and convulsive syncope. Achieving an accurate diagnosis is essential for determining the appropriate medical treatment. This case report highlights the various symptoms and complications associated with hyperkalemia, emphasizing the importance of conducting a thorough examination to explore other potential causes. Additionally, it emphasizes the usefulness of the head-upright tilt test (HUTT) as a method to differentiate convulsive syncope from seizures, particularly in cases involving vagal stimulation.
RESUMEN
Hyperkalemia is a common electrolyte disorder with potentially life-threatening consequences, including cardiac dysrhythmias. Pseudohyperkalemia must always be ruled out before implementing treatment for true hyperkalemia. Here, we present a case of a 63-year-old male with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) with a white blood cell count greater than 200 thousand/mm3 and persistently high serum potassium concentration as high as 8.4 mmol/L. A venous blood gas analysis was performed, which confirmed the patient's plasma potassium levels were within the normal range (3.7-4.4 mmol/L). In patients with CLL, due to the increased fragility of their white blood cells, mechanical stress such as centrifugation can lead to cell lysis resulting in pseudohyperkalemia. Our emphasis with clinicians is to familiarize themselves with these spurious laboratory values and prevent unnecessary invasive testing and treatment.