Obligatory medical device diagnostics.
- Blood pressure measurement
- Electrocardiogram (ECG; recording of the electrical activity of the heart muscle) – standard examination for cardiac arrhythmias[hyperkalemia: high peaked T waves (“steeple T”), prolonged PQ time, and disappearance of the P wave (or flat broad P), in addition to a broadened QRS complex and prolonged QT time
- Pronounced bradycardia (heartbeat too slow: <60 beats per minute) due to AV block II° or III°, if present
- Possibly bradycardic atrial fibrillation
- If necessary, thigh blocks – excitation conduction disorder of the heart below the His bundle (lat. fasciculus atrioventricularis).
- If applicable, ventricular arrhythmias (cardiac arrhythmias originating in the heart chambers (ventricles)), especially ventricular extrasystoles (VES) and ventricular tachycardia, which can lead to ventricular fibrillation
- Late signs
- Fusion of QRS complex and T-wave to form sinusoidal wave.
- Final stages
- Ventricular fibrillation – cardiac arrhythmia in which there is a tachycardic arrhythmia of the heart with a heart rate > 320/minute, which is life-threatening.
- “Slow VT”, non-shockable PEA (Pulseless Electrical Activity; Electromechanical Uncoupling) in bradycardic or tachycardic arrhythmias with bizarrely altered wide QRS complexes.
- Asystole (complete cessation of electrical and mechanical cardiac action for more than 2 seconds)]
Note: ECG changes can also choose very high serum potassium concentrations.
