Korean J Anesthesiol.  2012 Mar;62(3):281-284. 10.4097/kjae.2012.62.3.281.

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

• Sohn HM
• Park YH
• Byon HJ
• Kim JT
• Kim HS
• Kim CS

• KMID: 2299358
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4097/kjae.2012.62.3.281

Abstract

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.

Keyword

Autologous; Blood transfusion; Cardiac arrest; Hyperkalemia; Massive transfusion

MeSH Terms

Animals
Blood Transfusion
Blood Transfusion, Autologous
Cats
Electrocardiography
Erythrocytes
Heart Arrest
Humans
Hyperkalemia
Potassium
Potassium