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506080 
Journal Article 
Wide-complex tachycardia associated with severe hyperkalemia in three cats 
Norman, BC; Cote, E; Barrett, KA 
2006 
Yes 
Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery
ISSN: 1098-612X 
8 
6 
372-378 
English 
The well recognized cardiac effects of severe hyperkalemia include progressive rhythm and conduction disturbances such as bradycardia, spiked and narrow T waves, widening QRS complex, widening and flattening P wave, disappearance of the P wave, and cardiac arrest. Paradoxically, a heart rate greater than 200 beats/min may coexist with hyperkalemia in some cats. This report describes three cats with moderate to severe hyperkalemia and concurrent rapid heart rate. In each cat, the serum potassium (K+) concentration was >= 7.5 mEq/dl with a concurrent heart rate > 200 beats/min. In each cat, nine-lead electrocardiograms demonstrate an absence of P waves and a wide-complex tachycardia. Hyperkalemia should be considered in the differential diagnosis when a feline electrocardiogram demonstrates a wide-complex tachycardia without identifiable P waves. (C) 2006 ESFM and AAFP. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. 
electrocardiographic changes; electrolyte disturbances; urethral; obstruction; potassium-chloride; heart-failure; arrhythmias; conduction; disease