Hyperkalaemic cardiac arrhythmia due to prolonged ingestion of potassium citrate

Abstract

This case describes a 55 year old woman who presented with a pre-syncopal episode. She was found to have a serum potassium of 9.6 mmol/l with a markedly abnormal ECG. The cause of her hyperkalaemia was prolonged ingestion of potassium citrate and her ECG returned to normal with treatment of her hyperkalaemia. This case presents an unusual ECG appearance of hyperkalaemia, and highlights the potentially serious consequences of unmonitored use of potassium citrate.