Successful Acute Hemodialysis Performed immediately after Cardiac Arrest due to Uremia

Abstract

We report a patient with uremia due to polycystic kidneys who developed cardiopulmonary arrest shortly after admission. The initial laboratory data revealed severe acidosis and hyperkalemia caused by terminal uremia. The patient was resuscitated after 20 minutes of cardiac massage with the administration of epinephrine and other inotropic agents. Subsequently, acute hemodialysis was performed even though a stable circulation could not be maintained by the constant infusion of dopamine. It is very important to take immediate steps to correct the severe acidosis and significant derangements of electrolytes which are present in cardiac emergencies due to uremia.