Skip to the main content

Case report, case study

https://doi.org/10.21860/medflum2024_316202

Iatrogenic Hyperkalemia Caused by Incorrect Medication Intake – a Case Report

Matko Spicijarić orcid id orcid.org/0000-0002-0117-1835 ; Klinički bolnički centar Rijeka, Klinika za bolesti srca i krvnih žila, Rijeka, Hrvatska; Sveučilište u Rijeci, Medicinski fakultet, Rijeka, Hrvatska *
Vjekoslav Tomulić orcid id orcid.org/0000-0002-3749-5559 ; Klinički bolnički centar Rijeka, Klinika za bolesti srca i krvnih žila, Rijeka, Hrvatska; Sveučilište u Rijeci, Medicinski fakultet, Rijeka, Hrvatska

* Corresponding author.


Full text: croatian pdf 3.179 Kb

page 224-228

downloads: 304

cite


Abstract

Aim: Hyperkalemia, due to its consequences and accompanying mortality, is an emergency condition that should be recognized and treated as soon as possible. This paper aims to present some of the available diagnostics and treatment methods for hyperkalemia, but also to point out the illogicalities of the insurance fund, which can indirectly lead to fatal consequences for patients. Case report: The patient presented in this paper arrived in time at the Integrated Emergency Hospital Admission where, due to the present symptoms and electrocardiogram findings, hyperkalemia was suspected. The above was confirmed in a short time with the "point of care" device and the treatment was started. The initial treatment consisted of appropriate drug therapy and transcutaneous electrostimulation, then a temporary cardiac electrostimulator was placed and emergency dialysis was performed. Later, heteroanamnesis revealed that the patient mistakenly took two bags of potassium citrate in the morning and in the evening, which consequently led to iatrogenic hyperkalemia. On the discharge letter, just four days before the mentioned event, along with the remaining therapy, the generic name of the drug Kalinor was stated: potassium citrate / potassium hydrogen carbonate 2/2 g 2 eff. and 1 eff. alternately daily. The patient interpreted the effervescent mass as the prescribed morning and evening dose, and the general practitioner had previously replaced the prescribed formulation with potassium citrate produced by JGL. Conclusion: Iatrogenic hyperkalemia is a rare condition, but like many other complications, it can occur due to the incorrect use of the prescribed therapy. In order to improve patient adherence, the use of brand names of drugs that are more understandable to patients should be considered. A general practitioner or a pharmacist must certainly choose a brand medicine when prescribing and dispensing, and the question arises as to why this is not allowed for a hospital doctor.

Keywords

arrhythmias, cardiac; heart block; hyperkalemia; medication errors

Hrčak ID:

316202

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/316202

Publication date:

1.6.2024.

Article data in other languages: croatian

Visits: 968 *