As the pediatric cardiac team prepared to cannulate for a coarctation repair,their neonate patient presented with a sudden dysrhythmia,ectopy,and failure to respond to digitalis.Point-of-care serum electrolyte measurements revealed low potassium,sodium,and magnesium levels.On anesthesia induction,only 35 minutes earlier,these values were at normal levels and the patient status was secure.The electrolyte levels were treated to normal and the patient was cannulated and placed on cardiopulmonary bypass.As the procedure continued the team pondered the cause to prevent a recurrence.What possible event could have caused,or contributed to,this loss of electrolytes?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Intravascular infusion of a hypotonic solution would cause hypokalemia,hyponatremia,and hypomagnesemia.Signs and symptoms of hypokalemia include cardiac effects,such as ectopy,dysrhythmias,conduction abnormalities,and altered sensitivity to digitalis.Sterile water is a hypotonic solution.

As the Pediatric Cardiac Team Prepared to Cannulate for a Coarctation