Pseudohyperkalemia in Acute Myelocytic Leukemia

doi:10.1001/jama.1970.03170060071017

Pseudohyperkalemia in Acute Myelocytic Leukemia

L. C. Chumbley, MD

From the Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Hospital, Nashville, Tenn. Dr. Chumbley is now with the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.

Abstract

The occurrence of pseudohyperkalemia in acute myelocytic leukemia is, to the author's knowledge, previously undescribed. Pseudohyperkalemia may be caused by release of potassium from platelets or white blood cells during coagulation. The precise mechanisms responsible for these occurrences are not known.