Question by zeezmar: Is there a treatment , drug, or a method to stop a potassium chloride aqueous solution from someone dying?
like a lethal injection only with potassium chloride. what would happen?
Best answer:
Answer by Solomon
KCl is potassium chloride.
It ionizes and the potassium overloads the sodium-poassium pump system which messes up muscle cells, which stops the heart.
Here is how doctors treat excess potassium:
Acute: When arrhythmias occur, or when potassium levels exceed 6.5 mmol/l, emergency lowering of potassium levels is mandated. Several agents are used to lower K levels. Choice depends on the degree and cause of the hyperkalemia, and other aspects of the patient’s condition.
* Calcium supplementation (calcium gluconate 10% (10ml), preferably through a central venous catheter as the calcium may cause phlebitis) does not lower potassium but decreases myocardial excitability, protecting against life threatening arrhythmias.
* Insulin (e.g. intravenous injection of 10-15u of regular insulin {along with 50ml of 50% dextrose to prevent hypoglycemia}) will lead to a shift of potassium ions into cells, secondary to increased activity of the sodium-potassium ATPase.
* Bicarbonate therapy (e.g. 1 ampule (45mEq) infused over 5 minutes) is effective in cases of metabolic acidosis. The bicarbonate ion will stimulate an exchange of cellular H+ for Na+, thus leading to stimulation of the sodium-potassium ATPase.
* Salbutamol (albuterol, Ventolin) is a β2-selective catecholamine that is administered by nebulizer (e.g. 10–20 mg). This drug promotes movement of K into cells, lowering the blood levels.
* Refractory or severe cases may need dialysis to remove the potassium from the circulation.
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