Using Zero Balance Ultrafiltration with Dialysate as a Replacement Fluid for Hyperkalemia during Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

Avoiding or managing hyperkalemia during cardiac surgery, especially in a patient with chronic renal insufficiency, can be challenging. Hyperkalemic cardioplegia solution is usually administered to achieve and maintain an electrical arrest of the heart. This solution eventually mixes in with the systemic circulation, contributing to elevated systemic potassium levels. Administration of packed red blood cells, hemolysis, tissue damage, and acidosis are also common causes of hyperkalemia. Current strategies to avoid or manage hyperkalemia include minimizing the volume of cardioplegia administered, shifting potassium from the extracellular into the intracellular space (by the administration of sodium bicarbonate when the pH is low and/or dextrose-insulin when effects relatively independent of serum pH are desired), using zero-balanced ultrafiltration (Z-BUF) with normal saline as the replacement fluid (to remove potassium from the body rather than simply shift the electrolyte across cellular membranes), and, occasionally, hemodialysis (1). We report the application of Z-BUF using an electrolyte-balanced, low potassium dialysate solution rather than isotonic saline to avoid a high chloride load and the potential for hyperchloremic acidosis to successfully treat hyperkalemia while on cardiopulmonary bypass.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Heath, M; Raghunathan, K; Welsby, I; Maxwell, C

Published Date

  • September 2014

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 46 / 3

Start / End Page

  • 262 - 266

PubMed ID

  • 26357794

Pubmed Central ID

  • PMC4566837

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0022-1058

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States