pseudohiperkalemi

Pseudohyperkalemia refers to a laboratory finding of elevated serum potassium levels that does not reflect the true potassium concentration in the body. This discrepancy arises from potassium being released from cells into the plasma during or after blood collection. Several factors can precipitate pseudohyperkalemia, including difficult venipuncture, prolonged tourniquet application, prolonged fist clenching during blood draw, and the presence of extremely high white blood cell or platelet counts. Hemolysis, the rupture of red blood cells, is a common cause, as intracellular potassium leaks out into the serum. Certain conditions like thrombocytosis or leukocytosis can increase the risk because these cells contain higher concentrations of potassium than plasma. Rapid thawing or agitation of a blood sample can also lead to potassium release. Clinically, pseudohyperkalemia is asymptomatic and does not require treatment. The diagnosis is suspected when a patient's clinical presentation is inconsistent with significant hyperkalemia and confirmed by repeating the potassium measurement on a sample collected with specific precautions to prevent cellular lysis or potassium release. These precautions often include careful venipuncture, avoiding prolonged tourniquet use, and promptly processing the sample, sometimes with chilled tubes or arterialized venous blood.