An unusual case of pseudohyperkalaemia

Abstract

In summary, this is the first case report in the literature of a patient who presented with pseudohyperkalaemia due to excessive release of potassium during blood clotting occurring in the absence of significant leukocytosis or thrombocytosis and where a temperature-dependent loss of potassium from RBCs was ruled out. We postulate that the excessive potassium release from blood cells in this patient resulted from excessive cellular potassium efflux during the clotting process. This case has important clinical implications in that plasma and serum potassium levels should be obtained in any patient with unexplained elevated serum potassium level, irrespective of the presence or absence of leukocytosis or thrombocytosis. Failure to recognize pseudohyperkalaemia in such patients may result in further unnecessary diagnostic testing and potentially detrimental treatment.