Hyperkalaemia mimics pseudostemi infarct pattern

Hyperkalaemia is an electrolyte abnormality that warrants urgent intervention and has well-recognised electrocardiographic changes. Peaking T wave is the most appreciated ECG sign, but hyperkalaemia manifesting electrocardiographically as acute ischemia with ST segment elevation is a very rare condition. We present a case of acute kidney injury, complicated by severe hyperkalaemia causing ST segment elevation changes in ECG simulating acute myocardial infarction. Rapid serum potassium level in arterial blood gases blood test guide treatment in this case saved the need for unnecessary activation of the catheterisation lab and more importantly, saved the patient from malignant dysthymia in case of treatment delay. Aggressive treatment of hyperkalaemia resulted in successful reduction of serum potassium level; ECG changes returned to baseline without any evidence of pseudoinfarction pattern. The medical staff should be aware of this condition in order to administer correct therapy and prevent unnecessary interventions and the associated risk of complications.