Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Rapid wide-complex heart rhythm linked to high potassium in cats
By Norman, Brian C et al.·Published in Journal of feline medicine and surgery·2006·California Animal Hospital, United States·View original on PubMed →
PetCaseFinder translated the abstract of this peer-reviewed paper into plain English so pet owners can read it. We do not publish original research — every detail traces back to the citation above. How we work →
Original publication title: Wide-complex tachycardia associated with severe hyperkalemia in three cats.
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
Three cats were brought to the vet with very high potassium levels and fast heart rates over 200 beats per minute. Their electrocardiograms showed a wide heart rhythm and missing P waves, which are signs of serious heart issues. The cats were diagnosed with severe hyperkalemia (high potassium), which can cause dangerous heart problems. Treatment focused on lowering their potassium levels, and with appropriate care, the cats were stabilized and their heart rates returned to normal.
People also search for: cat fast heart rate · cat high potassium symptoms · cat heart problems treatment
Abstract
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 > or =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.
Find similar cases for your pet
PetCaseFinder finds other peer-reviewed reports of pets with the same symptoms, plus a plain-English summary of what was tried across them.
Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16877021/