potassemia

abnormally high potassium concentration in the blood, most often due to defective renal excretion, as in kidney disease, severe and extensive burns, intestinal obstruction, or addison's disease. See table of Electrolyte Imbalances at electrolyte. adj., adj hyperkale´mic. 

Potassium levels greater than 7 mEq per liter can produce electrocardiographic abnormalities, which are first evident as peaked T waves and depressed P waves; later there are widened QRS waves; and eventually there will be asystole. Other signs and symptoms include muscular weakness, tingling of the hands, feet, and tongue, and a slow irregular pulse. As the amount of serum potassium continues to rise to above 8 mEq per liter, there is potential for respiratory paralysis, asystole or ventricular fibrillation, and cardiac arrest. Treatment consists of removing the excess potassium from the body with dialysis, or giving intravenous sodium bicarbonate, calcium, or hypertonic glucose and insulin to shift potassium into the cells. Cation exchange resins may also be given orally or by enema to remove potassium.