Impaired distal renal potassium handling in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice.

Diabetes is closely associated with K+ disturbances during disease progression and treatment. However, it remains unclear whether K+ imbalance occurs in diabetes with normal kidney function. In this study, we examined the effects of dietary K+ intake on systemic K+ balance and renal K+ handling in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice. The control and STZ mice were fed low or high K+ diet for 7 days to investigate the role of dietary K+ intake in renal K+ excretion and K+ homeostasis and to explore the underlying mechanism by evaluating K+ secretion-related transport proteins in distal nephrons. K+-deficient diet caused excessive urinary K+ loss, decreased daily K+ balance, and led to severe hypokalemia in STZ mice compared with control mice. In contrast, STZ mice showed an increased daily K+ balance and elevated plasma K+ level under K+-loading conditions. Dysregulation of the NaCl cotransporter (NCC), epithelial Na+ channel (ENaC), and renal outer medullary K+ channel (ROMK) was observed in diabetic mice fed either low or high K+ diet. Moreover, amiloride treatment reduced urinary K+ excretion and corrected hypokalemia in K+-restricted STZ mice. On the other hand, inhibition of SGLT2 by dapagliflozin promoted urinary K+ excretion and normalized plasma K+ levels in K+-supplemented STZ mice, at least partly by increasing ENaC activity. We conclude that STZ mice exhibited abnormal K+ balance and impaired renal K+ handling under either low or high K+ diet, which could be primarily attributed to the dysfunction of ENaC-dependent renal K+ excretion pathway, despite the possible role of NCC.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Neither low dietary K+ intake nor high dietary K+ intake effectively modulates renal K+ excretion and K+ homeostasis in STZ mice, which is closely related to the abnormality of ENaC expression and activity. SGLT2 inhibitor increases urinary K+ excretion and reduces plasma K+ level in STZ mice under high dietary K+ intake, an effect that may be partly due to the upregulation of ENaC activity.

A population-based cohort defined risk of hyperkalemia after initiating SGLT-2 inhibitors, GLP1 receptor agonists or DPP-4 inhibitors to patients with chronic kidney disease and type 2 diabetes.

Hyperkalemia is a common adverse event in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and type 2 diabetes and limits the use of guideline-recommended therapies such as renin-angiotensin system inhibitors. Here, we evaluated the comparative effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2i), glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4i) on the risk of hyperkalemia. We conducted a population-based active-comparator, new-user cohort study using claims data from Medicare and two large United States commercial insurance databases (April 2013-April 2022). People with CKD stages 3-4 and type 2 diabetes who newly initiated SGLT-2i vs. DPP-4i (141671 patients), GLP-1RA vs. DPP-4i (159545 patients) and SGLT-2i vs. GLP-1RA (93033 patients) were included. The primary outcome was hyperkalemia diagnosed in inpatient or outpatient settings. Secondary outcomes included hyperkalemia diagnosed in inpatient or emergency department setting, and serum potassium levels of 5.5 mmol/L or more. Pooled hazard ratios and rate differences were estimated after propensity score matching to adjust for over 140 potential confounders. Initiation of SGLT-2i was associated with a lower risk of hyperkalemia compared with DPP-4i (hazard ratio 0.74; 95% confidence interval 0.68-0.80) and contrasted to GLP-1RA (0.92; 0.86-0.99). Compared with DPP-4i, GLP-1RA were also associated with a lower risk of hyperkalemia (0.80; 0.75-0.86). Corresponding absolute rate differences/1000 person-years were -24.8 (95% confidence interval -31.8 to -17.7), -5.0 (-10.9 to 0.8), and -17.7 (-23.4 to -12.1), respectively. Similar findings were observed for the secondary outcomes, among subgroups, and across single agents within the SGLT-2i and GLP-1RA classes. Thus, SGLT-2i and GLP-1RA are associated with a lower risk of hyperkalemia than DPP-4i in patients with CKD and type 2 diabetes, further supporting the use of these drugs in this population.

Safety Indicators in Patients Receiving High-intensity Care After Hospital Admission for Acute Heart Failure: The STRONG-HF Trial.

BACKGROUND: Safety, Tolerability and Efficacy of Rapid Optimization, Helped by NT-proBNP Testing, of Heart Failure Therapies (STRONG-HF) demonstrated the safety and efficacy of rapid up-titration of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) with high-intensity care (HIC) compared with usual care in patients hospitalized for acute heart failure (HF). In the HIC group, the following safety indicators were used to guide up-titration: estimated glomerular filtration rate of <30 mL/min/1.73 m2, serum potassium of >5.0 mmol/L, systolic blood pressure (SBP) of <95 mmHg, heart rate of <55 bpm, and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide concentration of >10% higher than predischarge values. METHODS AND RESULTS: We examined the impact of protocol-specified safety indicators on achieved dose of GDMT and clinical outcomes. Three hundred thirteen of the 542 patients in the HIC arm (57.7%) met ≥1 safety indicator at any follow-up visit 1-6 weeks after discharge. As compared with those without, patients meeting ≥1 safety indicator had more severe HF symptoms, lower SBP, and higher heart rate at baseline and achieved a lower average percentage of GDMT optimal doses (mean difference vs the HIC arm patients not reaching any safety indicator, -11.0% [95% confidence interval [CI] -13.6 to -8.4%], P < .001). The primary end point of 180-day all-cause death or HF readmission occurred in 15.0% of patients with any safety indicator vs 14.2% of those without (adjusted hazard ratio 0.84, 95% CI 0.48-1.46, P = .540). None of each of the safety indicators, considered alone, was significantly associated with the primary end point, but an SBP of <95 mm Hg was associated with a trend toward increased 180-day all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 2.68, 95% CI 0.94-7.64, P = .065) and estimated glomerular filtration rate decreased to <30 mL/min/1.73 m2 with more HF readmissions (adjusted hazard ratio 3.60, 95% CI 1.22-10.60, P = .0203). The occurrence of a safety indicator was associated with a smaller 90-day improvement in the EURO-QoL 5-Dimension visual analog scale (adjusted mean difference -3.32 points, 95% CI -5.97 to -0.66, P = .015). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with acute HF enrolled in STRONG-HF in the HIC arm, the occurrence of any safety indicator was associated with the administration of slightly lower GDMT doses and less improvement in quality of life, but with no significant increase in the primary outcome of 180-day HF readmission or death when appropriately addressed according to the study protocol.

Hyperkalemia treatment standard.

Hyperkalemia is a common electrolyte disturbance in both inpatient and outpatient clinical practice. The severity and associated risk depends on the underlying cause and rate of potassium (K+) increase. Acute hyperkalemia requires immediate attention due to potentially life-threatening manifestations resulting from the rapid increase in plasma K+ concentration. Treatment is initially focused on stabilizing the cardiac membrane, followed by maneuvers to shift K+ into the cells, and ultimately initiating strategies to decrease total body K+ content. Chronic hyperkalemia develops over a more extended period of time and manifestations tend to be less severe. Nevertheless, the disorder is not benign since chronic hyperkalemia is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. The approach to patients with chronic hyperkalemia begins with a review of medications potentially responsible for the disorder, ensuring effective diuretic therapy and correcting metabolic acidosis if present. The practice of restricting foods high in K+ to manage hyperkalemia is being reassessed since the evidence supporting the effectiveness of this strategy is lacking. Rather, dietary restriction should be more nuanced, focusing on reducing the intake of nonplant sources of K+. Down-titration and/or discontinuation of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone inhibitors should be discouraged since these drugs improve outcomes in patients with heart failure and proteinuric kidney disease. In addition to other conservative measures, K+ binding drugs and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors can assist in maintaining the use of these drugs.

Potassium-lowering effects of sodium zirconium cyclosilicate in the early post-transplant period.

PROBLEM: Hyperkalemia is a serious condition among intra-abdominal transplant recipients, and the safety and efficacy of sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (SZC) for its management during the early post-transplant period are not well-established. METHODS: Adults who received at least one 10-g dose of SZC within 14 days after an intra-abdominal transplant between January 2020 and July 2022 were included in our study. The primary outcome was the change in potassium (K+) levels following the first SZC dose. Other analyses explored adjunctive potassium-lowering therapies, potential gastrointestinal complications, and patient subgroups based on therapy and transplant type. RESULTS: Among the recipients (n = 46), 11 were kidney recipients, 26 were liver recipients, seven were simultaneous liver/kidney recipients, and two were simultaneous pancreas/kidney recipients. The mean time to first dose post-transplant was 7.6 (±4) days, and the mean change in serum K+ after the initial SZC dose was -.27 mEq (p = .001). No gastrointestinal complications were observed following the SZC dose. The mean increase in serum bicarbonate was .58 mEq (p = .41) following the first dose of SZC. Four kidney recipients required dialysis following the SZC dose. CONCLUSION: This study represents the largest investigation on the use of SZC in transplant recipients. A single 10-g dose of SZC reduced serum K+ levels in all subgroups, while the use of adjunctive K+-lowering therapies did not provide additional reduction beyond the effects of SZC. Importantly, no gastrointestinal complications were observed. These findings suggest that SZC may be a safe and promising therapeutic option for hyperkalemia management following solid organ transplantation.

Hyperkalemia in chronic kidney disease patients with and without heart failure: an Italian economic modelling study.

BACKGROUND: Hyperkalemia (HK) is frequently present in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Risk factors for HK among CKD patients include comorbidities and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor (RAASi) treatment. Current standard of care (SoC) often necessitates RAASi down-titration or discontinuation, resulting in poorer cardiorenal outcomes, hospitalization and mortality. This study evaluates the cost-effectiveness of patiromer for HK in CKD patients with and without heart failure (HF) in an Italian setting. METHODS: A lifetime Markov cohort model was developed based on OPAL-HK to assess the health economic impact of patiromer therapy in comparison to SoC after accounting for the effects of HK and RAASi use on clinical events. Outcomes included accumulated clinical events, number needed to treat (NNT) and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER). Subgroup analysis was conducted in CKD patients with and without HF. RESULTS: Patiromer was associated with an incremental discounted cost of €4,660 and 0.194 quality adjusted life years (QALYs), yielding an ICER of €24,004. Per 1000 patients, patiromer treatment prevented 275 moderate/severe HK events, 54 major adverse cardiovascular event, 246 RAASi discontinuation and 213 RAASi up-titration/restart. Subgroup analysis showed patiromer was more effective in preventing clinical events in CKD patients with HF compared to those without; QALY gains were greater in CKD patients without HF versus those with HF (0.267 versus 0.092, respectively). Scenario analysis and sensitivity analysis results support base-case conclusions. CONCLUSION: Patiromer is associated with QALY gains in CKD patients with and without HF compared to SoC in Italy. Patiromer prevented HK events, enabled RAASi therapy maintenance and reduced cardiovascular event risk.

Calcineurin inhibitor-related hyperkalemia is caused by hyporeninemic hypoaldosteronism and fludrocortisone is an effective treatment: Report of a case series and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) are widely used in transplantation. Although CNI-related hyperkalemia is common (10%-60.6%), the underlying pathogenetic mechanism is not well-elucidated and may lead to dose adjustment or treatment withdrawal. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to describe CNI-related hyperkalemia due to hyporeninemic hypoaldosteronism in pediatric transplant recipients who were successfully treated with fludrocortisone. METHOD: In a total of 55 hematopoietic stem cell (HSCT) and 35 kidney transplant recipients followed according to institutional immunosuppression protocols, recipients diagnosed with CNI-related hyperkalemia were reviewed. Recipients who were receiving intravenous fluid, potassium, or were diagnosed with hemolysis, acute graft rejection, or had an eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73m2, were excluded. A detailed analysis of clinical history as well as biochemical studies was carried out to reveal possible pathophysiology. RESULTS: Three pediatric transplant recipients (one HSCT, two kidney transplantation) with findings of hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, and a mild elevation in blood urea nitrogen while on CNIs were recruited. Urinary potassium excretion was diminished while sodium excretion was increased. Plasma aldosterone levels were low, and renin was not increased in response. Primary adrenal insufficiency was ruled out, and hyporeninemic hypoaldosteronism was diagnosed. CNI-related hyperkalemia was detected earlier in case 1, who had HSCT (22 days), than in the second and third cases, who had kidney transplantation (24 and 30 months post-transplantation, respectively). The discrepancy was hypothesized to be explained by higher overall CNI dose due to higher serum target CNI used in HSCT than kidney transplantation. Electrolyte imbalance was reversed upon administration of physiologic dose fludrocortisone (0.05 mg, daily), while fludrocortisone was ceased after CNI withdrawal in case 1, which is additional evidence for the etiological association of CNIs and hyporeninemic hypoaldosteronism. CONCLUSION: Our three cases strengthen the premise that CNI-related hyperkalemia may be due to hyporeninemic hypoaldosteronism, and the timing and severity may be related to CNI dose. Fludrocortisone is a safe and effective treatment in CNI-related hyperkalemia, providing maintenance of CNIs, which are one of the essential therapeutic agents for pediatric transplantation.

BRASH syndrome with a complete heart block- a case report.

INTRODUCTION: BRASH syndrome (Bradycardia, Renal failure, Atrioventricular (AV) nodal blocking agent, Shock and Hyperkalemia) is a recently emerging diagnosis that describes the profound bradycardia seen in patients on AV nodal blockers who present with acute kidney injury (AKI) and hyperkalemia. CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a 68 years old female patient with past history of hypertension taking atenolol and Enalapril presented to emergency department with the complaint of loss of consciousness of 02 hours duration. She had 03 days history of fatigue, poor oral intake, decreased urine output, appetite loss, vertigo and global headache. Her vital signs were blood pressure of 60/40 mmHg, absent radial pulse and temperature of 36.4 °C. Her systemic examination was remarkable for dry buccal mucosa; apical heart rate was 22 beats per minute. Glasgow Coma Scale was 13/15. Her laboratory tests showed creatinine of 1.83 mg/dL, blood urea nitrogen of 89 mg/dL and potassium elevated to the level of 6.39 mEq/dL. ECG revealed complete heart block with a normal QT interval and T waves and no U waves with ventricular rate of 22 beats per minute. Her previous medications were discontinued and the patient was resuscitated with intravenous (IV) fluids. She was given 03 doses of 1 mg atropine every 5 minutes but there was no increment in heart rate. She was given 50% dextrose with 10 international units of regular insulin, 1 g of calcium gluconate and Intravenous perfusion of norepinephrine and dopamine. Subsequently, after 14 hours of ICU admission the patient had a cardiac arrest with asystole and resuscitation was attempted but she couldn't survive. CONCLUSION: BRASH syndrome is largely an under-recognized life threatening clinical diagnosis. Physicians should have high index of suspicion for BRASH when they encounter patients with bradycardia, hyperkalemia, and renal failure, as timely diagnosis is crucial in the management.

Safety and efficacy of sodium zirconium cyclosilicate for the management of acute and chronic hyperkalemia in children with chronic kidney disease 4-5 and on dialysis.

BACKGROUND: Sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (SZC), an ion-exchange resin, is effective in the control of hyperkalemia in adults with chronic kidney disease (CKD); reports of use in children are limited. Prolonged therapy with SZC to relax dietary potassium restriction in CKD has not been examined. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients 6 months to 18 years of age with CKD stage 4-5 or on dialysis (5D) administered SZC for sustained hyperkalemia (potassium ≥ 5.5 mEq/L, three consecutive values). Patients received SZC (0.5-10 g per dose; age-based) either short-term (< 30 days) or long-term (> 30 days). RESULTS: Twenty patients with median age 10.8 (inter-quartile range 3.9, 13.4) years were treated with SZC. Short-term SZC, for 5 (3, 19) days, was associated with safe management of dialysis catheter insertions (n = 5) and access dysfunction (n = 4), and was useful during palliative care (n = 1). Serum potassium levels decreased from 6.7 (6.1, 6.9) to 4.4 (3.7, 5.2) mEq/L (P < 0.001). Long-term SZC for 5.3 (4.2, 10.1) months achieved decline in serum potassium from 6.1 (5.8, 6.4) to 4.8 (4.2, 5.4) mEq/L (P < 0.001). SZC use was associated with liberalization of diet (n = 6) and was useful in patients with poor adherence to dietary restriction (n = 3). Adverse events or edema were not observed; serum sodium and blood pressure remained stable. CONCLUSIONS: SZC was safe and effective for the management of acute and chronic hyperkalemia in children with CKD4-5/5D. Its use was associated with relaxation of dietary potassium restriction. Studies to examine its routine use to improve diet and nutritional status in children with CKD are required.

Secondary pseudohypoaldosteronism: a 15-year experience and a literature review.

BACKGROUND: Secondary pseudohypoaldosteronism (S-PHA) is a rare condition resulting from renal tubular resistance to aldosterone in children with urinary tract infection (UTI) and/or nephrourological malformations. It is characterized by nonspecific symptoms but with the potential for life-threatening complications. We aim to evaluate the clinical manifestations, diagnostic approach, and therapeutic interventions in children with S-PHA, along with a review of recent publications. METHODS: A retrospective observational descriptive study was conducted on S-PHA cases diagnosed over the last 15 years at a tertiary pediatric nephrology unit. The literature for the last 10 years was reviewed. RESULTS: Twelve patients (10 males, 6 days to 6 months) were identified. Weight loss was the main reason for consultation (50%). Ninety-two percent of patients had an underlying nephrourological pathology and 62% concomitant confirmed UTI. Seven out of 12 children were admitted to the PICU. A subsequent extrapontine myelinolysis was observed in one patient as neurological sequelae. Twenty-one articles related to S-PHA have been identified on PubMed and Embase. CONCLUSIONS: S-PHA should be considered in infants under 6 months of age with UTI and/or CAKUT. Obstructive anomalies and vesicoureteral reflux can be found, affecting both unilateral and bilateral systems. Early medical and surgical interventions are crucial and require close monitoring to avoid iatrogenic complications.

Transient secondary pseudo-hypoaldosteronism in infants with urinary tract infections: systematic literature review.

Infants with a congenital anomaly of the kidney and urinary tract sometimes present with hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, and metabolic acidosis due to under-responsiveness to aldosterone, hereafter referred to as secondary pseudo-hypoaldosteronism. The purpose of this report is to investigate pseudo-hypoaldosteronism in infant urinary tract infection. A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA guidelines after PROSPERO (CRD42022364210) registration. The National Library of Medicine, Excerpta Medica, Web of Science, and Google Scholar without limitations were used. Inclusion criteria involved pediatric cases with documented overt pseudo-hypoaldosteronism linked to urinary tract infection. Data extraction included demographics, clinical features, laboratory parameters, management, and course. Fifty-seven reports were selected, detailing 124 cases: 95 boys and 29 girls, 10 months or less of age (80% of cases were 4 months or less of age). The cases exhibited hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, acidosis, and activated renin-angiotensin II-aldosterone system. An impaired kidney function was found in approximately every third case. Management included antibiotics, fluids, and, occasionally, emergency treatment of hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, or acidosis. The recovery time averaged 1 week for electrolyte, acid-base imbalance, and kidney function. Notably, anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract were identified in 105 (85%) cases. CONCLUSIONS: This review expands the understanding of overt transient pseudo-hypoaldosteronism complicating urinary tract infection. Management involves antimicrobials, fluid replacement, and consideration of electrolyte imbalances. Raising awareness of this condition within pediatric hospitalists is desirable. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Infants affected by a congenital anomaly of the kidney and urinary tract may present with clinical and laboratory features resembling primary pseudo-hypoaldosteronism. • Identical features occasionally occur in infant urinary tract infection. WHAT IS NEW: • Most cases of secondary pseudo-hypoaldosteronism associated with a urinary tract infection are concurrently affected by a congenital anomaly of the kidney and urinary tract. • Treatment with antibiotics and parenteral fluids typically results in the normalization of sodium, potassium, bicarbonate, and creatinine within approximately 1 week.

Pacemaker ECG with the Littmann sign.

Severe hyperkalemia may be concealed in the electrocardiogram (ECG). We present the case of a critically ill patient with severe bradycardia and the BRASH syndrome. In critically ill patients, double counting of the heart rate is frequently a marker of severe hyperkalemia (Littmann sign). In our case, hyperkalemic double counting only appeared in the ECG performed during percutaneous pacing. The Littmann sign helped with the early recognition of hyperkalemia and the BRASH syndrome.

An unusual cause of giant T waves.

In the acute care setting, the two most common causes of giant upright T waves include hyperkalemia and the very early phase of acute myocardial infarction (MI). The former is characterized by narrow based and peaked T waves. The giant T waves of early MI, also called "hyperacute T waves," are usually more broad-based. The general recommendation is to consider hyperacute T waves a form of occlusion MI, and to proceed with emergent cardiac catheterization and revascularization. In this report, we present the case of a young man with cocaine toxicity and status epilepticus where the initial electrocardiogram (ECG) demonstrated giant T waves. Both hyperkalemia and coronary occlusion were ruled out. Within a few hours, the ECG spontaneously normalized. Review of the literature revealed that although uncommon, acute cerebral events including seizures can cause transient giant T waves. When giant T waves are noted in association with a cerebral event, emergent cardiac catheterization may not be warranted.

Spontaneous tumor lysis syndrome (STLS) during biopsy for burkitt lymphoma: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a hematologic oncological emergency characterized by metabolic and electrolyte imbalances. On breakdown of tumor cells, enormous amounts of potassium, phosphate, and nucleic acids are released into systemic circulation. TLS mainly occurs during chemotherapy. However, there are rare incidences of spontaneous tumor lysis syndrome (STLS) prior to commencement of therapy. CASE PRESENTATION: In the case being reported, the child had just undergone a biopsy. As the incision was being closed, there was a sudden onset of high fever, arrhythmia, severe hyperkalemia, hypocalcemia, and acidosis. Following timely symptomatic treatment and continuous renal replacement therapy(CRRT), the child's laboratory results improved, and organ function was restored to normal. The final pathological diagnosis confirmed Burkitt lymphoma. The boy is currently on maintenance chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: TLS is a potentially life-threatening complication in hematologic oncology. Several important conclusions can be drawn from this case, reminding clinicians to: (1) be fully aware of the risk factors of TLS and evaluate the level of risk; (2) pay attention to the possibility of STLS during operation, if surgical procedures are necessary and operate with minimal trauma and in the shortest time possibly; (3) take preoperative prophylaxis actively for high-risk TLS patients, including aggressive fluid management and rational use of diuretics and uric-acid-lowering drugs. In addition, this case confirms the effectiveness of CRRT for severe STLS.

Associations Between Dietary Potassium Intake From Different Food Sources and Hyperkalemia in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease.

OBJECTIVE: Previous studies reported mixed results on associations between dietary potassium intake and hyperkalemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This study investigated the association between potassium intake from different food sources and hyperkalemia in patients with non-dialysis-dependent CKD. METHODS: A total of 285 patients were recruited at a university hospital and 2 city hospitals in Tokyo. Dietary potassium intake was estimated by a validated diet history questionnaire. Associations of potassium intake from all foods and individual food groups with serum potassium were examined by multivariable linear regression among potassium binder nonusers. An association between tertile groups of potassium intake and hyperkalemia, defined as serum potassium ≥5.0 mEq/L, was evaluated by multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: Among 245 potassium binder nonusers, total potassium intake was weakly associated with serum potassium (regression coefficient = 0.147, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.018-0.277), while an association with hyperkalemia was not observed (first vs third tertile: adjusted odds ratio = 0.98, 95% CI: 0.29-3.26). As for food groups, potassium intakes from potatoes, pulses, and green/yellow vegetables were positively associated with serum potassium. Patients in the highest tertile of potassium intake from potatoes had higher odds of hyperkalemia as compared to those in the lowest tertile (adjusted odds ratio = 4.12, 95% CI: 1.19-14.34). CONCLUSION: Total potassium intake was weakly associated with serum potassium, but not with hyperkalemia. Potassium intake from potatoes was associated with hyperkalemia. These findings highlight the importance of considering food sources of potassium in the management of hyperkalemia in CKD.

The effect of dietary fiber on hyperkalemia in maintenance hemodialysis patients: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between dietary fiber (DF) intake and hyperkalemia in maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients. METHODS: A total of 110 MHD patients were included, including 67 males and 43 females. Patients were divided into normal serum potassium group (N) and a hyperkalemia group (H) according to the serum potassium level before dialysis. The daily diet was recorded by the 3-day dietary recording method. The daily dietary nutrient intake of patients was analyzed. Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between hyperkalemia and DF intake. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to analyze the cutoff value of DF intake to prevent hyperkalemia. RESULTS: Of the 110 patients, 38 had hyperkalemia (serum potassium > 5.5 mmol/L) before dialysis. There was no difference in sex, residual kidney function, body mass index (BMI), energy intake, fat intake, protein intake, calcium intake, sodium intake, phosphorus intake or the administration history of potassium-lowering drugs between the two groups (p > 0.05). Compared with the H group, patients in the N group had higher carbohydrate intake (315±76 g/d vs. 279±66 g/d, p=0.016), dietary fiber intake (19±5 g/d vs. 12±8 g/d, p<0.0001) and potassium intake (1698±392 mg/d vs. 1533±413 mg/d, p=0.041), and more patients in group N used renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (52.78% vs. 23.68%, p=0.003). However, the number of patients with constipation in group N was less than that in group H (20.83% vs. 42.11%, p=0.018). Logistic regression analysis showed that DF intake was an independent protective factor for hyperkalemia [p<0.0001, OR=0.766 (95% CI:0.675-0.870)]. ROC analysis showed that daily intake of DF greater than 15.33 g may be helpful to prevent hyperkalemia. CONCLUSION: Insufficient dietary nutrient intake is prevalent in MHD patients, especially DF intake, which may be associated with hyperkalemia. Clinically, attention should be given to the dietary balance of MHD patients, especially DF intake.

Evaluating the Effectiveness of a Generative Pretrained Transformer-Based Dietary Recommendation System in Managing Potassium Intake for Hemodialysis Patients.

OBJECTIVE: Despite adequate dialysis, the prevalence of hyperkalemia in Chinese hemodialysis (HD) patients remains elevated. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a dietary recommendation system driven by generative pretrained transformers (GPTs) in managing potassium levels in HD patients. METHODS: We implemented a bespoke dietary guidance tool utilizing GPT technology. Patients undergoing HD at our center were enrolled in the study from October 2023 to November 2023. The intervention comprised of two distinct phases. Initially, patients were provided with conventional dietary education focused on potassium management in HD. Subsequently, in the second phase, they were introduced to a novel GPT-based dietary guidance tool. This artificial intelligence (AI)-powered tool offered real-time insights into the potassium content of various foods and personalized dietary suggestions. The effectiveness of the AI tool was evaluated by assessing the precision of its dietary recommendations. Additionally, we compared predialysis serum potassium levels and the proportion of patients with hyperkalemia among patients before and after the implementation of the GPT-based dietary guidance system. RESULTS: In our analysis of 324 food photographs uploaded by 88 HD patients, the GPTs system evaluated potassium content with an overall accuracy of 65%. Notably, the accuracy was higher for high-potassium foods at 85%, while it stood at 48% for low-potassium foods. Furthermore, the study examined the effect of GPT-based dietary advice on patients' serum potassium levels, revealing a significant reduction in those adhering to GPTs recommendations compared to recipients of traditional dietary guidance (4.57 ± 0.76 mmol/L vs. 4.84 ± 0.94 mmol/L, P = .004). Importantly, compared to traditional dietary education, dietary education based on the GPTs tool reduced the proportion of hyperkalemia in HD patients from 39.8% to 25% (P = .036). CONCLUSION: These results underscore the promising role of AI in improving dietary management for HD patients. Nonetheless, the study also points out the need for enhanced accuracy in identifying low potassium foods. It paves the way for future research, suggesting the incorporation of extensive nutritional databases and the assessment of long-term outcomes. This could potentially lead to more refined and effective dietary management strategies in HD care.

Impact of a Hyperkalemia Protocol Tailored to Glucose Concentration and Renal Function on Insulin-Induced Hypoglycemia in Patients with Low Pretreatment Glucose.

BACKGROUND: Hyperkalemia is a common electrolyte abnormality that requires urgent treatment. Insulin is an effective treatment for hyperkalemia, but risk factors for developing insulin-induced hypoglycemia exist (e.g., low pretreatment glucose or renal impairment). OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the impact of a hyperkalemia protocol tailored to glucose concentration and renal function on insulin-induced hypoglycemia. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study of emergency department patients with glucose ≤ 100 mg/dL treated with insulin for hyperkalemia. The primary outcome was incidence of hypoglycemia in patients treated prior to (July 1, 2018-June 30, 2019) vs. after (January 1, 2020-December 31, 2020) the protocol update, which individualized insulin and dextrose doses by glucose concentration and renal function. Secondary outcomes included change in potassium and protocol safety. We assessed factors associated with hypoglycemia using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: We included 202 total patients (preimplementation: 114, postimplementation: 88). Initial insulin dose was lower in the postimplementation group (p < 0.001). We found a nonsignificant reduction in hypoglycemia in the postimplementation group (42.1% vs. 30.7%, p = 0.10). Degree of potassium reduction was similar in patients who received insulin 5 units vs. 10 units (p = 0.72). Higher pretreatment glucose (log odds ratio [OR] -0.05, 95% confidence interval [CI] -0.08 to -0.02) and additional insulin administration (log OR -1.55, 95% CI -3.01 to -0.25) were associated with reduced risk of developing hypoglycemia. CONCLUSION: A hyperkalemia protocol update was not associated with a significant reduction in hypoglycemia, and the incidence of hypoglycemia remained higher than anticipated. Future studies attempting to optimize treatment in this high-risk population are warranted.

Pseudohyperkalemia in pediatric patients with newly diagnosed hematological malignancies.

Patients with newly diagnosed hematological malignancies often present with a considerable cellular burden, leading to complications including hyperkalemia. However, pseudohyperkalemia, arising from in vitro cell lysis, can pose challenges in clinical practice. Although pseudohyperkalemia is frequently reported in adult hematological malignancies, its occurrence in pediatric patients is underreported, and its incidence in this demographic remains unclear. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of pediatric patients who received a new diagnosis of hematological malignancies from 2011 to 2022 at Taichung Veterans General Hospital. Hyperkalemia was defined by a serum or plasma potassium level exceeding 5.5 mEq/L. Pseudohyperkalemia was defined by 1) a potassium decrease of over 1 mEq/L in within 4 h without intervention or 2) the absence of electrocardiography changes indicative of hyperkalemia. Cases with apparent red blood cell hemolysis were excluded. A total of 157 pediatric patients with a new diagnosis of hematological malignancies were included, 14 of whom exhibited hyperkalemia. Among these 14 cases, 7 cases (4.5%) were of pseudohyperkalemia. This rate increased to 21.2% in patients with initial hyperleukocytosis. Pseudohyperkalemia was associated with a higher initial white blood cell count and lower serum sodium level. All episodes of pseudohyperkalemia occurred in the pediatric emergency department, where samples were obtained as plasma, whereas all true hyperkalemia cases were observed in the ordinary ward or intensive care unit, where samples were obtained as serum. Timely recognition of pseudohyperkalemia is crucial to avoiding unnecessary potassium-lowering interventions in pediatric patients with newly diagnosed hematological malignancies.

The impact of hyperkalemia on ICU admission and mortality: a retrospective study of Chinese emergency department data.

OBJECTIVE: This study assesses the influence of hyperkalemia on both disease severity and the risk of mortality among patients admitted to the emergency room. METHODS: This retrospective observational study utilized data from the Chinese Emergency Triage Assessment and Treatment database (CETAT, version 2.0), which was designed to evaluate and optimize management strategies for emergency room (ER) patients. Patients were systematically categorized based on serum potassium levels. Relationships between serum potassium levels, risk of mortality, and the severity of illness were then analyzed using multifactorial logistic regression and through Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) analysis. The effectiveness of various treatments at lowering potassium levels was also investigated. RESULTS: 12,799 emergency patients were enrolled, of whom 20.1% (n = 2,577) were hypokalemic and 2.98% (n = 381) were hyperkalemic. Among hyperkalemic patients, the leading reasons for visiting the ER were altered consciousness 23.88% (n = 91), cardiovascular symptoms 22.31% (n = 85), and gastrointestinal symptoms 20.47% (n = 78). Comparative analysis with patients exhibiting normal potassium levels revealed hyperkalemia as an independent factor associated with mortality in the ER. Mortality risk appears to positively correlate with increasing potassium levels, reaching peaks when blood potassium levels ranged between 6.5 and 7.0. Hyperkalemia emerged as a strong predictor of death in the ER, with an Area Under the Curve (AUC) of 0.89. The most frequently prescribed treatment for hyperkalemia patients was diuretics (57.32%, n = 188), followed by intravenous sodium bicarbonate (50.91%, n = 167), IV calcium (37.2%, n = 122), insulin combined with high glucose (27.74%, n = 91), and Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy (CRRT) for 19.82% (n = 65). Among these, CRRT appeared to be the most efficacious at reducing potassium levels. Diuretics appeared relatively ineffective, while high-glucose insulin, sodium bicarbonate, and calcium preparations having no significant effect on the rate of potassium decline. CONCLUSION: Hyperkalemia is common in emergency situations, especially among patients with altered consciousness. There is a strong positive correlation between the severity of hyperkalemia and mortality risk. CRRT appears to be the most effective potassium reducting strategy, while the use of diuretics should be approached with caution.