Pseudohyperkalemia related to blood sampling at the University Hospital Center Professor Zafisaona Gabriel Mahajanga

Pseudohyperkalemia is common in routine laboratory tests. The objective of the present study is to determine pseudohyperkalemia associated with blood sampling and to analyze other causes that may explain the occurrence of hyperkalemia. A prospective descriptive and analytical study was carried out over a period of 3 months, from November 2020 to January 2021, at the University Hospital Center Professor Zafisaona Gabriel Mahajanga. Samples intended for the determination of plasma potassium, of which the pre-analytical phase could be followed from the blood sampling to their analysis were included. One hundred and twenty nine samples were tracked. Hyperkalemia was observed in 51 cases, or 39.5%. The frequency of pseudohyperkalemia was 27.5% (n = 14). Pseudohyperkalemia predominated on samples from hospitalized patients, where the pediatric department was first (50%, n = 7), followed by the Emergency and Intensive Care Department (42.9%, n = 6). It was more frequent on samples taken by paramedical trainees (78.6%, n = 11). Pseudohyperkalemia associated with tourniquet placement for more than one minute was 42.9% (n = 6). The age of 0 to 15 years and over 60 years, the presence of edema, renal and / or cardiac signs, the use of hyperkalemic drugs, and hospitalization were significantly linked to the occurrence of hyperkalemia (p<0.05). Pseudohyperkalemia must be differentiated from true hyperkalemia. Hyperkalemia should always be confirmed before aggressive treatment.