Abstract
Increase in plasma potassium levels following the administration of succinylcholine have been reported in normal anesthetized patients. Abnormal increase in plasma potassium levels has also been observed in patients with extensive burns, massive trauma, neuromuscular disorders, and tetanus resulting in serious even fatal cardiac arrhythmias a/o cardiac arrest. Some investigators have studied the effects of pretreatment with nondeporarizing muscle relaxants before succinylcholine. These effects have the benefit for the prevention from abnormal release of potassium after the administration of succinylcholine. We report on a case of cardiac arrest possibly induced by hyperkalemia following the administration of succinylcholine despite precurarization.
