IMAGES IN CLINICAL MEDICINE: "Pseudoinfarction" Pattern Due to Hyperkalemia

Abstract

The serum glucose concentration was 839 mg per deciliter (46.6 mmol per liter), the arterial blood pH was 7.21, and the serum potassium concentration was 7.9 mmol per liter. The diagnosis of diabetic ketoacidosis was made. When the electrocardiogram was repeated several hours later, after the potassium concentration was lowered to 5.1 mmol per liter with treatment (Panel B [lead V^sub 5^ is not placed]), the ST-segment elevation disappeared completely, as did the peaked T waves.