Application of the continuous autotransfusion system (CATS) to prevent transfusion-related hyperkalemia following hyperkalemic cardiac arrest in an infant -A case report-

Transfusion-induced hyperkalemia can lead to cardiac arrest, especially when the patient rapidly receives a large amount of red blood cells (RBCs), previously stored for a long period of time, irradiated or both. We report on a case of application of the Continuous AutoTransfusion System (CATS) to w...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Hye-Min Sohn, Yong-Hee Park, Hyo-Jin Byon, Jin-Tae Kim, Hee-Soo Kim, Chong Sung Kim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Korean Society of Anesthesiologists 2012-03-01
Series:Korean Journal of Anesthesiology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://ekja.org/upload/pdf/kjae-62-281.pdf
Description
Summary:Transfusion-induced hyperkalemia can lead to cardiac arrest, especially when the patient rapidly receives a large amount of red blood cells (RBCs), previously stored for a long period of time, irradiated or both. We report on a case of application of the Continuous AutoTransfusion System (CATS) to wash RBCs, in order to lower the high potassium (K+) level in the packed RBCs unit, during massive transfusion following transfusion-induced hyperkalemic cardiac arrest. After the washing process using CATS, there was no more electrocardiographic abnormality or cardiac arrest due to hyperkalemia. This case emphasizes the potential risk to develop transfusion-related hyperkalemic cardiac arrest, during massive transfusion of irradiated, pre-stored RBCs. CATS can be effectively used to lower the K+ concentration in the packed RBCs unit, especially when the risk of transfusion-induced hyperkalemia is high.
ISSN:2005-6419
2005-7563