Hyperkalemia: Prevalence, Predictors and Emerging Treatments

• Published in: Cardiology and Therapy Vol. 12; no. 1; pp. 35 - 63
• Main Authors: Larivée, Natasha L., Michaud, Jacob B., More, Keigan M., Wilson, Jo-Anne, Tennankore, Karthik K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Cheshire Springer Healthcare 01.03.2023; Springer; Adis, Springer Healthcare
• Subjects: Cardiology; Causes of; Development and progression; Drug therapy; Hyperkalemia; Internal Medicine; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Patiromer; Potassium binder; Review; Sodium polystyrene sulfonate; Sodium zirconium cyclosilicate; Canada; Patiromer; Hyperkalemia; Sodium polystyrene sulfonate; Sodium zirconium cyclosilicate; Potassium binder
• ISSN: 2193-8261; 2193-6544
• DOI: 10.1007/s40119-022-00289-z

It is well established that an elevated potassium level (hyperkalemia) is associated with a risk of adverse events including morbidity, mortality and healthcare system cost. Hyperkalemia is commonly encountered in many chronic conditions including kidney disease, diabetes and heart failure. Furthermore, hyperkalemia may result from the use of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASi), which are disease-modifying treatments for these conditions. Therefore, balancing the benefits of optimizing treatment with RAASi while mitigating hyperkalemia is crucial to ensure patients are optimally treated. In this review, we will briefly discuss the definition, causes, epidemiology and consequences of hyperkalemia. The majority of the review will be focused on management of hyperkalemia in the acute and chronic setting, emphasizing contemporary approaches and evolving data on the relevance of dietary restriction and the use of novel potassium binders.