Korean J Anesthesiol.  1984 Mar;17(1):47-52.

Changes the Level of Serum Potassium following Administration of Succinylcholine in Patients with closed Head Injury

• Kim CH
• Lee CH

Abstract

Succinylcholine, the short acting depolarizing muscle relaxant, is commonly used for endotracheal intubation. Succinylcholine induced hyperkalemia has been reported in patients with severe burn, massive traums, spinal cord injury, some neuromuscular diseases, and cerebral damage. In the present study, the serum potassium levels and ECG changes following intravenous injection of succinylcholine in three groups were investigated(group l: the patients without head injury, group ll: the patients with head injury with 24 hours, and group lll: the patients with head injury in 10~90 days). The results were as follows: 1) The serum potassium lovels increased significantly at 4 minutes, decreased slightly at 8 minutes and 10 minutes in group ll and lll(p<0.001). 2) The serum potassium levels(peak change ratio) were higher in group ll and lll than group l (between group l and ll, p<0.05: between group ll and lll, p<0.001). 3) Thwere were no significant differences between the maximal increase of K+ according to the degrees of consciousness. 4) Abnormal ECG finding following intubation appeared in fifty-five cases (91.7%). The amjority were sinus tachycardia in group 1 and ll and insignificant tall T wave in group ll.

MeSH Terms

Burns
Consciousness
Craniocerebral Trauma
Electrocardiography
Head Injuries, Closed*
Humans
Hyperkalemia
Injections, Intravenous
Intubation
Intubation, Intratracheal
Neuromuscular Diseases
Potassium*
Spinal Cord Injuries
Succinylcholine*
Tachycardia, Sinus
Potassium
Succinylcholine