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Hyperkalemia

Therapy options for hyperkalemia
Causes of hyperkalemia
Drugs that may cause hyperkalemia
Calculation of transtubular potassium gradient (TTKG)


Therapy options for hyperkalemia


MeasuresOnset of effectDuration of effect
Cation exchange resine (e.g. 30 mg Resonium A® in 20 mL sorbitol solution p.o. (may have to be repeated) or 60 mg Resonium A® in 250 mL of fluid as enema (may have to be repeated))
> 1 h
 
500 mL glucose 5% i.v. + 10 IE insulin
30 min
4 - 6 h
40 - 80 mmol sodium bicarbonate 8,4% slowly i.v.
5 - 10 min
2 h
Loop diuretics when renal function is normal or only slightly impaired
> 1 h
 
10 mL calcium gluconate 10% slowly i.v.1
1 - 3 min
30 min
0.5 mg salbutamol slowly i.v.
or 500 µg terbutaline s.c.
or 10 - 20 mg salbutamol via nebuliser
or 1.2 mg salbutamol via dosieraerosol with spacer
5 min
2 - 4 h
Hemodialysis
Immediately
 
1contraindicated in digitalized patients!

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Causes of hyperkalemia


Potassium overload from external sources or cell death
  • potassium-rich salts, artificial feeding
  • Hemolysis, rhabdomyolysis, tumorlysis, burns, trauma
Potassium shift from intracellular to extracellular
  • Acidosis
  • Insulin deficiency
  • Adrenal insufficiency (Addison´s disease)
Reduced renal excretion
  • Renal insufficiency
  • Tubulopathies (e.g. toxic damage)
  • Hyperreninemic hypoaldosteronism
  • Adrenal insufficiency (Addison´s disease)


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Drugs that may cause hyperkalemia


Increased potassium intake
Penicillin GPotassium containing
Potassium chloride, potassium citratePotassium containing
Decreased intracellular potassium shift
ß-blockersInhibition of Na+-K+-ATPase
Aldosterone receptor antagonistsInhibition of aldosterone effect on Na+-K+-ATPase
Digitalis glycosidesInhibition of Na+-K+-ATPase
Calcineurin inhibitorsInhibition of Na+-K+-ATPase
Decreased renal potassium excretion
Potassium-sparing diureticsInhibition of renal potassium excretion
Trimethoprim, pentamidineInhibition of renal potassium excretion
LithiumInhibition of renal potassium excretion
Aldosterone receptor antagonistsInhibition of aldosterone-induced effects on distal nephron
Indirect inhibition of aldosterone effects and other indirect effects
HeparinInhibition of aldosterone synthesis
ACE inhibitorsInhibition of conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II
Angiotensin II receptor antagonistsInhibition of angiotensin II effects
Renin antagonistsInhibition of renin effects
ß-blockersInhibition of renin production
NSAID and COX 2 inhibitorsInhibition of prostaglandin-mediated stimulation of potassium excretion in collecting duct and reduced renin release


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Modified according to:
Sester U, Nephrologe 2008;3:366-74

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