Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 12, 2026
Transesophageal Atrial Burst Pacing for Atrial Fibrillation Induction in Rats
Published on: February 14, 2022
Spontaneous conversion of atrial fibrillation caused by severe hyperkalemia: A case report
Lihua Yan1, Tingbo Jiang, Xiangjun Yang
1Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Nantong First People's Hospital, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University, Nantong Department of Cardiology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China.
Insights
Severe hyperkalemia can cause life-threatening arrhythmias and requires prompt medical attention. This case highlights a rare instance of self-defibrillation from atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm due to hyperkalemia.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Nephrology
- Electrophysiology
Background:
- Hyperkalemia is a critical electrolyte imbalance associated with significant cardiac risks, including fatal arrhythmias.
- Prompt recognition and management of hyperkalemia are essential for patient survival.
Observation:
- An 82-year-old male presented with electrocardiographic signs of severe hyperkalemia, including absent P waves, prolonged QRS, and peaked T waves.
- The patient experienced a rare spontaneous conversion from atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm attributed to hyperkalemia.
- Secondary thrombosis developed due to the abrupt termination of atrial fibrillation.
Findings:
- The patient was diagnosed with hyperkalemia, hypertension, and atrial fibrillation.
- Treatment involved intravenous calcium gluconate, insulin/dextrose, oral kayexalate, and emergent hemodialysis.
- The patient was successfully treated and discharged in stable condition.
Implications:
- Hyperkalemia can precipitate severe cardiac arrhythmias, necessitating vigilant electrolyte monitoring.
- Maintaining anticoagulation is crucial in patients with atrial fibrillation to prevent thromboembolic events, especially during electrolyte disturbances.
Rationale:
Hyperkalemia is a life-threatening electrolyte disturbance which could lead to arrhythmias and potentially death.
Patient Concerns:
An 82-year-old male patient who presented typical electrocardiographic indications of hyperkalemia, including the absence of P waves, prolongation of QRS complex, sinoventricular conduction, bradyarrhythmia and tall peaked T waves. He developed a rare self-defibrillation of atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm due to hyperkalemia. Besides, he developed secondary thrombosis caused by abrupt termination of atrial fibrillation.
Diagnoses:
This patient was diagnosed with hyperkalemia, hypertension, and AF.
Interventions:
He was treated with an intravenous infusion of calcium gluconate, insulin and dextrose, an oral kayexalate, and emergency hemodialysis.
Outcomes:
The patient was managed effectively and discharged with stable status.
Lessons:
Hyperkalemia could induce malignant arrhythmia with high mortality. Thus we suggested more attention be paid to monitoring electrolyte disorders and maintaining anticoagulation treatments to avoid thromboembolism.
Related Concept Videos
03:03Amyloid Fibrils
Amyloid deposits were observed as early as 1639 in the liver and the spleen. In 1854, Rudolph Virchow performed iodine staining,...
03:03Amyloid Fibrils
02:21Spontaneity
02:08Gene Conversion
02:08Gene Conversion
01:11Fibril-associated Collagen
For example, the type II collagen fibrils in cartilage have covalently bound type IX fibril-associated collagens at regular intervals. Other types of fibril-associated collagens are...