PMID: 26788745Jan 21, 2016Paper

The burden of hyperkalemia in patients with cardiovascular and renal disease

The American Journal of Managed Care
Jeffrey D DunnRobert T Adamson

Abstract

Hyperkalemia is a potentially serious condition that can result in life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias and is associated with an increased mortality risk. Patients older than 65 years who have an advanced stage of chronic kidney disease (stage 3 or higher), diabetes, and/or chronic heart failure are at higher risk for hyperkalemia. To reduce disease progression and improve outcomes in these groups of patients, modulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) is recommended by guidelines. One limiting factor of RAAS inhibitors at proven doses is the increased risk for hyperkalemia associated with their use. Although there are effective therapeutic options for the short-term, acute management of hyperkalemia, the available strategies for chronic control of high potassium levels have limited effectiveness. The management of high potassium in the long term often requires withdrawing or reducing the doses of drugs proven to reduce cardiovascular and renal outcomes (eg, RAAS inhibitors) or implementing excessive and often intolerable dietary restrictions. Furthermore, withholding RAAS inhibitors may lead to incremental healthcare costs associated with poor outcomes, such as end-stage renal disease, hospitalizations due ...Continue Reading

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation is a common arrhythmia that is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality, particularly due to stroke and thromboembolism. Here is the latest research.

Arrhythmia

Arrhythmias are abnormalities in heart rhythms, which can be either too fast or too slow. They can result from abnormalities of the initiation of an impulse or impulse conduction or a combination of both. Here is the latest research on arrhythmias.

Cardiovascular Disorder in Diabetes

Diabetes is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disorders and heart failure. Discover the latest research here.

Related Papers

The American Journal of Medicine
Apurv Khanna, William B White
American Journal of Cardiovascular Drugs : Drugs, Devices, and Other Interventions
David K Packham, Mikhail Kosiborod
Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy
Peter D Hart, George L Bakris
© 2022 Meta ULC. All rights reserved