Succinylcholine‐Induced Hyperkalemia in Burned Patients ‐ II

N EARLW investigation by the United A States Army Institute of Surgical Research demonstrated acute elevations of serum potassium concentration following intravenous (I.V.) succinylcholine in burned patients who were between 20 and 60 days p0stburn.l The doses of succinylcholine used in that study were 0.7 and 1.4 mg./kg. The current investigation demonstrates significant hyperkalemia following a dose of 0.4 mg./kg. of succinylcholine and a rlirect relationship between the increase in serum potassium and increases in Paco, occurring immediately after succinylcholine administration.