Bradycardia, renal failure, atrioventricular nodal blockade, shock, and hyperkalemia: An important syndrome to recognize
Chui King Wong, Mohd Johar Jaafar
Department of Emergency Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Keywords: atrioventricular nodal blocker, bradycardia, hyperkalemia, renal failure, shock
Abstract
BRASH syndrome is a syndrome characterized by bradycardia, renal failure, usage of atrioventricular (AV) nodal blocker, shock, and hyperkalemia (BRASH). It is more common among patients with multiple comorbidities such as cardiac disease, kidney dysfunction, and hypertension requiring AV nodal blockers. Cardiac conduction abnormalities are frequently caused by severe hyperkalemia. However, it may also occur in mild-to-moderate hyperkalemia with concomitant use of AV nodal blockers due to the synergistic effects between these two factors in the presence of renal insufficiency. It is essential for the physician to identify BRASH syndrome as the treatment may differ from standard advanced cardiovascular life support (ACLS) protocol. We report the two cases of patient who presented with BRASH syndrome who failed to respond to standard ACLS protocol.
Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for her/his anonymized information to be published.
Declaration of patient consent: The authors certify that they have obtained all appropriate patient consent forms. In the form, the patients have given their consent for their images, and other clinical information to be reported in the journal. The patient understands that name and initials will not be published and due efforts will be made to conceal identity, but anonymity cannot be guaranteed.
WCK contributed to clinical management of the patients, writing of the manuscript, approval of the final draft of the manuscript and corresponding author. MJJ contributed to support of the literature, revision and approval of the final draft of the manuscript.
None Declared
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