Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Support for Hypokalemia-induced Cardiac Arrest: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Background: Hypokalemia is a reversible cause of cardiac arrest in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED). Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is an established technology for cardiopulmonary support with emerging roles in resuscitation. Here, we review the literature of hypokalemic-induced cardiac arrests and discuss one such case successfully managed with ECMO.

Case report: A 23-year-old Central American man who presented to a community ED under federal custody with several days of nausea and vomiting was found to have a serum potassium level of 1.5 mEq/L. Repeat serum potassium level was 1.1 mEq/L upon arrival to our facility. Within 2 h of arrival, despite electrolyte repletion, he suffered cardiac arrest. Advanced cardiac life support was performed for 45 min. ECMO was initiated while active chest compressions were performed. After aggressive potassium repletion, return of spontaneous circulation was achieved and ECMO was eventually discontinued. Further investigation ultimately confirmed the presence of a potassium-wasting nephropathy, for which the patient had been treated with chronic potassium supplementation prior to entering federal custody. WHY SHOULD AN EMERGENCY PHYSICIAN BE AWARE OF THIS?: ECMO is a well-established modality for cardiopulmonary support, with an emerging role for patients in undifferentiated cardiac arrest presenting to the ED. There is a growing interest in the utility of ECMO in these circumstances. This report highlights hypokalemia as an important cause of cardiac arrest, reviews the treatment and causes of hypokalemia, and demonstrates a potential role for ECMO as a critical temporizing measure to provide time for potassium repletion.

Keywords: cardiac arrest; extracorporeal membrane oxygenation; hypokalemia.