Current hyperkalemia interventions co-administered with a dextrose 10% solution significantly lower hypoglycemic rates (CHICA-D10).

BACKGROUND: Current protocols which include the administration of a single dextrose dose concomitantly with insulin are inadequate as hypoglycemia commonly occurs 60 min after insulin administration and may persist for up to two hours post-insulin administration. To prevent delayed hypoglycemic events, our institution revised our adult acute hyperkalemia order set to include hypoglycemic preventative measures not currently described in the literature. METHODS: The primary purpose of this retrospective study was to determine if the new adult acute hyperkalemia order set resulted in lower rates of hypoglycemia (glucose <70 mg/dL) compared to the old order set in patients with impaired renal clearance and lower pre-insulin glucose values. In addition to reducing the IV regular insulin dose from 10 to 5 units, the new order set recommends patients receive a 250 mL dextrose 10% solution over two hours in addition to a 50 mL dextrose 50% IV push concomitantly with IV regular insulin if their pre-insulin glucose is ≤250 mg/dL. Patients were included if they were adults, received IV regular insulin from the order set within six hours of presenting to the ED, had a pre-insulin potassium >5.5 mmol/L, had a pre-insulin glucose ≤250 mg/dL, and had impaired renal clearance [creatinine clearance (CrCl) < 30 mL/min or dialysis dependent]. RESULTS: 100 patients were included in each arm. The median pre-insulin potassium levels were 6.4 mmol/L and 6.3 mmol/L in the old and new groups, respectively (p = 0.133). The median pre-insulin glucose levels were 120 mg/dL and 107.5 mg/dL in the old and new groups, respectively (p = 0.013). Twenty (20%) patients in the old group developed hypoglycemia, whereas six (6%) patients in the new group developed hypoglycemia (p = 0.003). There was no significant difference between the two groups in number of patients who achieved a post-insulin potassium level ≤ 5.5 mmol/L. CONCLUSION: Our study found that our approach of additionally administering a 250 mL dextrose 10% solution upon therapy initiation is associated with significantly lower rates of hypoglycemia. Our findings indicate that hypoglycemia rates can be significantly reduced in vulnerable populations if additional preventative measures are employed.

Overview of research progress on the association of dietary potassium intake with serum potassium and survival in hemodialysis patients, does dietary potassium restriction really benefit hemodialysis patients?

For the general population, increasing potassium intake can reduce the incidence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. However, since hyperkalemia is a common and life-threatening complication in maintenance hemodialysis patients, which can increase the risk of malignant arrhythmia and sudden death, the current mainstream of management for hemodialysis patients is dietary potassium restriction in order to prevent hyperkalemia. Hemodialysis patients are usually advised to reduce dietary potassium intake and limit potassium-rich fruits and vegetables, but there is limited evidence to support this approach can reduce mortality and improve quality of life. There is still no consistent conclusion on the association between dietary potassium intake and serum potassium and survival in hemodialysis patients. According to the current small observational studies, there was little or even no association between dietary potassium intake and serum potassium in hemodialysis patients when assurance of adequate dialysis and specific dietary patterns (such as the plant-based diet mentioned in the article) are being followed, and excessive dietary potassium restriction may not benefit the survival of hemodialysis patients. Additionally, when assessing the effect of diet on serum potassium, researchers should not only focus on the potassium content of foods, but also consider the type of food and the content of other nutrients. However, more large-scale, multi-center clinical trials are required to provide high-quality evidence support. Besides, further research is also needed to determine the optimal daily potassium intake and beneficial dietary patterns for hemodialysis patients.

Laboratory monitoring to reduce adverse drug-related events: a mixed methods study.

BACKGROUND: Therapy with angiotensinconverting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) requires laboratory monitoring to avoid hyperkalemia and acute kidney failure. OBJECTIVE: To assess the frequency of recommended annual serum potassium and creatinine monitoring and determine potential factors associated with care gaps among adults dispensed an ACEI or ARB. METHODS: This mixed-methods study integrated findings from a retrospective cohort study and individual patient interviews. Adults aged 21 years and over within Kaiser Permanente Southern California with at least 180 treatment days of an ACEI and/or ARB in 2015 were included. Patients invited for qualitative interviews included those who did and did not complete the recommended laboratory tests. We assessed the proportion of patients completing both recommended laboratory tests, factors associated with not receiving laboratory monitoring, and patients' insights into barriers and facilitators of recommended monitoring. RESULTS: Of 437,544 patients who received an ACEI or ARB, 9.0% did not receive both a serum potassium and creatinine laboratory test during treatment (defined as a care gap). Lower risk of a care gap was observed for patients with increasing age (rate ratio [RR] per 10-year increase = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.77-0.79); diabetes mellitus (RR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.60-0.64); hypertension (RR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.71-0.74); Charlson Comorbidity Index score of at least 2 (RR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.60-0.64); those who changed medication classes (RR = 0.53, 95% CI = 0.51-0.56); and patients with a cardiologist (RR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.73-0.90) or nephrologist (RR = 0.60, 95% CI = 0.52-0.69) as their prescribing provider. Twenty-five patients completed the qualitative interviews. Patients often lacked knowledge about the need for laboratory monitoring, cited logistical barriers to accessing the laboratory, and deemed the reminders they received through an outpatient safety program as a facilitator to completing tests. CONCLUSIONS: Given the large patient population on ACEI and ARB medications, monitoring and support strategies such as electronic clinical surveillance could be important in addressing care gaps and potentially reducing adverse drug effects. DISCLOSURES: This project was supported by grant number R01HS024437 from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The funder had no role in the design of the study; collection, analyses, or interpretation of the data, or decision to submit this manuscript for publication. Harrison, Reynolds, Hahn, Munoz-Plaza, Yi, Fischer, Luong, Sim, Brettler, Handler, and Mittman are employees of the Southern California Permanente Medical Group. Danworth was employed by the Southern California Permanente Medical Group at the time of this study. Singh was partially supported by the Houston VA HSR&D Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety (CIN13-413). Reynolds reports grants from Novartis, Amgen Inc., and Vital Strategies, Resolve to Save Lives, unrelated to this work. Yi reports grants from Novartis unrelated to this work. Kanter has nothing to disclose.

Preventing transfusion-associated hyperkalemia in pediatric cardiac surgery: Measure the levels of potassium in packed red blood cells before using - Invited commentary.

The authors present a revolutionary study aiming to evaluate the effect of alterations in potassium concentrations in transfused packed red blood cells (PRBC) on the neonate and infant potassium levels after congenital cardiac surgery. By establishing a strict protocol that restricts the rate of transfusion, the age of the transfused PRBC, and not transfusing a PRBC with a potassium level above 15 mmol/L, they accomplished to suggest a safe and easy way for preventing transfusion-associated hyperkalemia.

Increased colonic K+ excretion through inhibition of the H,K-ATPase type 2 helps reduce plasma K+ level in a murine model of nephronic reduction.

Hyperkalemia is frequently observed in patients at the end-stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and has possible harmful consequences on cardiac function. Many strategies are currently used to manage hyperkalemia, one consisting of increasing fecal K+ excretion through the administration of cation-exchange resins. In this study, we explored another more specific method of increasing intestinal K+ secretion by inhibiting the H,K-ATPase type 2 (HKA2), which is the main colonic K+ reabsorptive pathway. We hypothetised that the absence of this pump could impede the increase of plasma K+ levels following nephronic reduction (N5/6) by favoring fecal K+ secretion. In N5/6 WT and HKA2KO mice under normal K+ intake, the plasma K+ level remained within the normal range, however, a load of K+ induced strong hyperkalemia in N5/6 WT mice (9.1 ± 0.5 mM), which was significantly less pronounced in N5/6 HKA2KO mice (7.9 ± 0.4 mM, p < 0.01). This was correlated to a higher capacity of HKA2KO mice to excrete K+ in their feces. The absence of HKA2 also increased fecal Na+ excretion by inhibiting its colonic ENaC-dependent absorption. We also showed that angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor like enalapril, used to treat hypertension during CKD, induced a less severe hyperkalemia in N5/6 HKA2KO than in N5/6 WT mice. This study therefore provides the proof of concept that the targeted inhibition of HKA2 could be a specific therapeutic maneuver to reduce plasma K+ levels in CKD patients.

Aldosterone antagonists in addition to renin angiotensin system antagonists for preventing the progression of chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) is used to reduce proteinuria and retard the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, resolution of proteinuria may be incomplete with these therapies and the addition of an aldosterone antagonist may be added to further prevent progression of CKD. This is an update of a Cochrane review first published in 2009 and updated in 2014. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effects of aldosterone antagonists (selective (eplerenone), non-selective (spironolactone or canrenone), or non-steroidal mineralocorticoid antagonists (finerenone)) in adults who have CKD with proteinuria (nephrotic and non-nephrotic range) on: patient-centred endpoints including kidney failure (previously know as end-stage kidney disease (ESKD)), major cardiovascular events, and death (any cause); kidney function (proteinuria, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and doubling of serum creatinine); blood pressure; and adverse events (including hyperkalaemia, acute kidney injury, and gynaecomastia). SEARCH METHODS: We searched the Cochrane Kidney and Transplant Register of Studies up to 13 January 2020 through contact with the Information Specialist using search terms relevant to this review. Studies in the Register are identified through searches of CENTRAL, MEDLINE, and EMBASE, conference proceedings, the International Clinical Trials Register (ICTRP) Search Portal, and ClinicalTrials.gov. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs that compared aldosterone antagonists in combination with ACEi or ARB (or both) to other anti-hypertensive strategies or placebo in participants with proteinuric CKD. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently assessed study quality and extracted data. Data were summarised using random effects meta-analysis. We expressed summary treatment estimates as a risk ratio (RR) for dichotomous outcomes and mean difference (MD) for continuous outcomes, or standardised mean difference (SMD) when different scales were used together with their 95% confidence interval (CI). Risk of bias were assessed using the Cochrane tool. Evidence certainty was evaluated using GRADE. MAIN RESULTS: Forty-four studies (5745 participants) were included. Risk of bias in the evaluated methodological domains were unclear or high risk in most studies. Adequate random sequence generation was present in 12 studies, allocation concealment in five studies, blinding of participant and investigators in 18 studies, blinding of outcome assessment in 15 studies, and complete outcome reporting in 24 studies. All studies comparing aldosterone antagonists to placebo or standard care were used in addition to an ACEi or ARB (or both). None of the studies were powered to detect differences in patient-level outcomes including kidney failure, major cardiovascular events or death. Aldosterone antagonists had uncertain effects on kidney failure (2 studies, 84 participants: RR 3.00, 95% CI 0.33 to 27.65, I² = 0%; very low certainty evidence), death (3 studies, 421 participants: RR 0.58, 95% CI 0.10 to 3.50, I² = 0%; low certainty evidence), and cardiovascular events (3 studies, 1067 participants: RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.26 to 3.56; I² = 42%; low certainty evidence) compared to placebo or standard care. Aldosterone antagonists may reduce protein excretion (14 studies, 1193 participants: SMD -0.51, 95% CI -0.82 to -0.20, I² = 82%; very low certainty evidence), eGFR (13 studies, 1165 participants, MD -3.00 mL/min/1.73 m², 95% CI -5.51 to -0.49, I² = 0%, low certainty evidence) and systolic blood pressure (14 studies, 911 participants: MD -4.98 mmHg, 95% CI -8.22 to -1.75, I² = 87%; very low certainty evidence) compared to placebo or standard care. Aldosterone antagonists probably increase the risk of hyperkalaemia (17 studies, 3001 participants: RR 2.17, 95% CI 1.47 to 3.22, I² = 0%; moderate certainty evidence), acute kidney injury (5 studies, 1446 participants: RR 2.04, 95% CI 1.05 to 3.97, I² = 0%; moderate certainty evidence), and gynaecomastia (4 studies, 281 participants: RR 5.14, 95% CI 1.14 to 23.23, I² = 0%; moderate certainty evidence) compared to placebo or standard care. Non-selective aldosterone antagonists plus ACEi or ARB had uncertain effects on protein excretion (2 studies, 139 participants: SMD -1.59, 95% CI -3.80 to 0.62, I² = 93%; very low certainty evidence) but may increase serum potassium (2 studies, 121 participants: MD 0.31 mEq/L, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.45, I² = 0%; low certainty evidence) compared to diuretics plus ACEi or ARB. Selective aldosterone antagonists may increase the risk of hyperkalaemia (2 studies, 500 participants: RR 1.62, 95% CI 0.66 to 3.95, I² = 0%; low certainty evidence) compared ACEi or ARB (or both). There were insufficient studies to perform meta-analyses for the comparison between non-selective aldosterone antagonists and calcium channel blockers, selective aldosterone antagonists plus ACEi or ARB (or both) and nitrate plus ACEi or ARB (or both), and non-steroidal mineralocorticoid antagonists and selective aldosterone antagonists. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The effects of aldosterone antagonists when added to ACEi or ARB (or both) on the risks of death, major cardiovascular events, and kidney failure in people with proteinuric CKD are uncertain. Aldosterone antagonists may reduce proteinuria, eGFR, and systolic blood pressure in adults who have mild to moderate CKD but may increase the risk of hyperkalaemia, acute kidney injury and gynaecomastia when added to ACEi and/or ARB.

Occurrence and improvement of renal dysfunction and serum potassium abnormality during administration of liposomal amphotericin B in patients with hematological disorders: A retrospective analysis.

Liposomal amphotericin B (L-AMB) has the potential to cause two major adverse events, renal dysfunction and serum potassium abnormality; however, appropriate clinical management of these events remains unclear. We retrospectively analyzed data regarding 128 hematology patients who received L-AMB in our institute and examined the association between clinical characteristics and renal dysfunction or serum potassium abnormality. We found that the median weight-normalized dose of L-AMB was 2.69mg/kg and the median administration period was 16days. The overall occurrence rates of renal dysfunction and hypokalemia were 55.7% and 76.6%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that pre-existing renal dysfunction (P=0.017) and concomitant use of nephrotoxic (P<0.0001) or antifungal drugs (P=0.012) were independent risk factors for renal dysfunction. A higher infusion volume did not mitigate the risk of renal dysfunction. Hypokalemia occurred significantly less often in men (P=0.028) and in patients who concomitantly used nephrotoxic drugs (P=0.013). Approximately 40% of the adverse events were improved at 30days after L-AMB termination and there was no significant association between these adverse events improvement and L-AMB dosage or infusion volume. Of note, hyperkalemia was observed in more patients who received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (P=0.0303) and concomitant treatment with nephrotoxic drugs (P=0.0281). These results suggest that imprudent reduction of L-AMB dose or redundant intravenous infusion may have minimal benefit for critical patients with suspected invasive fungal infection.

Effects of intraoperative and early postoperative normal saline or Plasma-Lyte 148® on hyperkalaemia in deceased donor renal transplantation: a double-blind randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Administration of saline in renal transplantation is associated with hyperchloraemic metabolic acidosis, but the effect of normal saline (NS) on the risk of hyperkalaemia or postoperative graft function is uncertain. METHODS: We compared NS with Plasma-Lyte 148® (PL) given during surgery and for 48 h after surgery in patients undergoing deceased donor renal transplantation. The primary outcome was hyperkalaemia within 48 h after surgery. Secondary outcomes were need for hyperkalaemia treatment, change in acid-base status, and graft function. RESULTS: Twenty-five subjects were randomized to NS and 24 to PL. The incidence of hyperkalaemia in the first 48 h after surgery was higher in the NS group; 20 patients (80%) vs 12 patients (50%) in the PL group (risk difference: 0.3; 95% confidence interval: 0.05, 0.55; P=0.037). The mean (sd) peak serum potassium was NS 6.1 (0.8) compared with PL 5.4 (0.9) mmol litre-1 (P=0.009). Sixteen participants (64%) in the NS group required treatment for hyperkalaemia compared with five (21%) in the PL group (P=0.004). Participants receiving NS were more acidaemic [pH 7.32 (0.06) vs 7.39 (0.05), P=0.001] and had higher serum chloride concentrations (107 vs 101 mmol litre-1, P<0.001) at the end of surgery. No differences in the rate of delayed graft function were observed. Subjects receiving PL who did not require dialysis had a greater reduction in creatinine on day 2 (P=0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with PL, participants receiving NS had a greater incidence of hyperkalaemia and hyperchloraemia and were more acidaemic. These biochemical differences were not associated with adverse clinical outcomes. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12612000023853.

Treatment of Hyperkalemia in Heart Failure.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this paper is to discuss strategies for prevention and management of hyperkalemia in patients with heart failure, including the role of novel therapies. RECENT FINDINGS: Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) antagonists, including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB), and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA) decrease mortality and morbidity in heart failure but increase the risk of hyperkalemia, especially when used in combination. Prevention of hyperkalemia and its associated complications requires careful patient selection, counseling regarding dietary potassium intake, awareness of drug interactions, and regular laboratory surveillance. Recent data suggests that the risk of hyperkalemia may be further moderated through the use of combined angiotensin-neprilysin inhibitors, novel MRAs, and novel potassium binding agents. Clinicians should be mindful of the risk of hyperkalemia when prescribing RAAS inhibitors to patients with heart failure. In patients at highest risk, such as those with diabetes, the elderly, and advanced chronic kidney disease, more intensive laboratory surveillance of potassium and creatinine may be required. Novel therapies hold promise for reducing the risk of hyperkalemia and enhancing the tolerability of RAAS antagonists.

Outcomes analysis of surgical and medical treatments for patients with primary aldosteronism.

Patients with aldosterone-producing adenomas are treated using surgery, and patients with idiopathic hyperaldosteronism receive medical treatment using mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs). However, the outcomes of surgical and medical treatment for primary aldosteronism (PA) remain unclear. Therefore, we compared the outcomes of surgical and medical treatment for PA and aimed to identify a specific subgroup that might benefit from medical treatment. We identified 269 patients who were treated for PA (unilateral excess: 221 cases; bilateral excess: 48 cases) during 2000-2015 at the Seoul National University Hospital and two other tertiary centers. The main outcomes were the amelioration of hypertension and hypokalemia. Treatment improved hypertension in the surgical treatment group (78.2%) and the medical treatment group (55.6%) (p = 0.001). At the last follow-up, hypokalemia was normalized in the surgical treatment group (97.1%) and the medical treatment group (93.7%, p = 0.046). Among patients with unilateral aldosterone excess, surgery provided advantages in resolving hypertension without worsening renal function. Among patients who were >60 years old or had impaired renal function, surgical and medical treatment provided similar amelioration of hypokalemia and hypertension. Three patients developed hyperkalemia after surgery, and no patients developed hyperkalemia after initiating medical treatment. The surgical treatment group exhibited a lower postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and higher serum potassium levels, compared to the medical treatment group. Surgical treatment provided better hypertension and hypokalemia outcomes among patients with PA, compared to medical treatment. However, MRAs may be appropriate for elderly patients with impaired renal function.

Corrected to uncorrected? The metabolic conundrum of hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate factors associated with repeat blood testing after establishment of normal metabolic parameters and factors associated with reversal of metabolic correction back an uncorrected form in preoperative management of infants with Hypertrophic Pyloric Stenosis (HSP). METHODS: A retrospective review of infants with HSP undergoing repeat serum chemistries after already having normal labs were identified. Variables associated with repeating normal bloodwork and reversion of normal to abnormal labs were identified. Associations between reversion to abnormal and ordering of repeat labs were determined. RESULTS: 255 cases were studied with a median of 2 lab tests drawn per patient (range 1-9). Of 142 serum chemistry tests repeated after a normal test, 27% became abnormal, most commonly hyperkalemia. 61% of these went to surgery. No variables were associated with a normal test becoming abnormal. However, a time lapse of >12h was associated with the reordering of bloodwork despite it already being normal. CONCLUSIONS: There is little evidence to support need for repeat serum chemistry testing in cases of HPS once normality has been established. Development of clinical pathways to reduce the use of unnecessary serum testing may improve efficiency of patient care and limit unnecessary resource utilization. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Retrospective Case control: 3b.

Irreversible electroporation of the liver: is there a safe limit to the ablation volume?

Irreversible electroporation is a fast-growing liver ablation technique. Although safety has been well documented in small ablations, our aim is to assess its safety and feasibility when a large portion of liver is ablated. Eighty-seven mice were subjected to high voltage pulses directly delivered across parallel plate electrodes comprising around 40% of mouse liver. One group consisted in 55 athymic-nude, in which a tumor from the KM12C cell line was grown and the other thirty-two C57-Bl6 non-tumoral mice. Both groups were subsequently divided into subsets according to the delivered field strength (1000 V/cm, 2000 V/cm) and whether or not they received anti-hyperkalemia therapy. Early mortality (less than 24 hours post-IRE) in the 2000 V/cm group was observed and revealed considerably higher mean potassium levels. In contrast, the animals subjected to a 2000 V/cm field treated with the anti-hyperkalemia therapy had higher survival rates (OR = 0.1, 95%CI = 0.02-0.32, p < 0.001). Early mortality also depended on the electric field magnitude of the IRE protocol, as mice given 1000 V/cm survived longer than those given 2000 V/cm (OR = 4.7, 95%CI = 1.8-11.8, p = 0.001). Our findings suggest that ionic disturbances, mainly due to potassium alterations, should be warned and envisioned when large volume ablations are performed by IRE.

A simple protocol to improve safety and reduce cost in hemodialysis patients undergoing elective surgery.

BACKGROUND: When patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) miss their routine intermittent hemodialysis (IHD), electrolyte abnormalities and volume overload often occur. An institutional protocol to ensure that patients receiving IHD have elective surgeries scheduled within 24 hours after their dialysis may reduce procedural delays or cancellations caused by hyperkalemia and hypervolemia after a missed IHD session. The effect of this protocol was evaluated. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed for ESRD patients receiving IHD who underwent surgery from 6 months before to 6 months after the institutional protocol was implemented. Preoperative potassium values, timing of IHD relative to surgery, and the nature of surgery (elective or emergent) were documented. The percentage of patients having IHD more than 24 hours before their elective surgery was compared before and after protocol implementation. Average potassium values were compared when IHD occurred within 24 hours vs. more than 24 hours, using t test analysis. Cost associated with delay and cancellation for IHD was also explored. RESULTS: Of the 15,799 cases performed, 190 involved ESRD patients receiving IHD. Before the protocol, 32.1% of elective cases (n = 17) involved patients scheduled for surgery more than 24 hours after IHD vs. 12.0% (n = 6) after the protocol. Preoperative potassium values were less when patients underwent IHD within 24 hours than at more than 24 hours (mean [SD], 4.32 [0.6] mEq/L vs 4.63 [0.8] mEq/L; P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: The simple scheduling policy is effective at reducing both cost and unnecessary perioperative risks for patients.

Aldosterone antagonists for preventing the progression of chronic kidney disease.

BACKGROUND: Treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) is increasingly used to reduce proteinuria and retard the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, resolution of proteinuria may be incomplete with these therapies and the addition of an aldosterone antagonist may be added to further prevent progression of CKD. This is an update of a review first published in 2009. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of aldosterone antagonists (both selective (eplerenone) and non-selective (spironolactone)) alone or in combination with ACEi or ARB in adults who have CKD with proteinuria (nephrotic and non-nephrotic range) on: patient-centred endpoints including major cardiovascular events, hospitalisation and all-cause mortality; kidney function (proteinuria, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), serum creatinine, and need for renal replacement therapy; and adverse events (including gynaecomastia and hyperkalaemia). SEARCH METHODS: For this update, we searched the Cochrane Renal Group's Specialised Register to 30 January 2013 using search terms relevant to this review. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs that compared aldosterone antagonists alone or in combination with ACEi or ARB (or both) with other anti-hypertensive strategies or placebo. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two authors independently assessed study quality and extracted data. Data were summarised using random effects meta-analysis. We tested for heterogeneity in estimated treatment effects using the Cochran Q test and I² statistic. We expressed summary treatment estimates as a risk ratio (RR) for dichotomous outcomes together with their 95% confidence intervals (CI) and mean difference (MD) for continuous outcomes, or standardised mean difference (SMD) when different scales were used. MAIN RESULTS: We identified 27 studies (1549 participants) that were eligible for inclusion. These studies provided no data relating to aldosterone antagonists in addition to ACEi or ARB (or both) on patient-level outcomes including major cardiovascular events and mortality and progression to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) requiring dialysis or transplantation.Compared with ACEi or ARB (or both), non-selective aldosterone antagonists (spironolactone) combined with ACEi or ARB (or both) significantly reduced 24-hour protein excretion (11 studies, 596 participants): SMD -0.61, 95% CI -1.08 to -0.13). There was a significant reduction in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure (BP) at the end of treatment with additional non-selective aldosterone antagonist therapy (systolic BP (10 studies, 556 participants): MD -3.44 mm Hg, 95% CI -5.05 to -1.83) (diastolic BP (9 studies, 520 participants): MD -1.73 mm Hg, 95% CI -2.83 to -0.62).However, we found that aldosterone antagonist treatment had imprecise effects at the end of treatment on GFR (9 studies, 528 participants; MD -2.55 mL/min/1.73 m², 95% CI -5.67 to 0.51), doubled the risk of hyperkalaemia (11 studies, 632 patients): RR 2.00, 95% CI 1.25 to 3.20; number needed to treat for an additional harmful outcome (NNTH): 7.2, 95% CI 3.4 to ∞) and increased the risk of gynaecomastia compared to ACEi or ARB (or both) (4 studies, 281 patients): RR 5.14, 95% CI 1.14 to 23.23; NNTH: 14.1, 95% CI 8.7 to 37.3).Most studies enrolled few patients (range 12 to 268) and were powered to observe differences in surrogate end points rather than patient-focused outcomes. Nine studies had a cross-over design and the majority of studies did not adequately report study methods to assess methods and study quality. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Aldosterone antagonists reduced proteinuria and blood pressure in adults who had mild to moderate CKD and were treated with ACEi or ARB (or both), but increase hyperkalaemia and gynaecomastia. Whether adding aldosterone antagonists to ACEi or ARB (or both) reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events or ESKD in this population is unknown.

[Incidence and risk factors of postoperative emergency treatment in dialysis patients after elective noncardiac surgery: a five-year retrospective study].

BACKGROUND: Chronic hemodialysis patients undergoing surgery require intensive care. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence and risk factors of emergency treatment before the planned elective postoperative dialysis. METHODS: One hundred and ten dialysis patients undergoing elective noncardiac surgery were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Emergency treatment was performed in 31 (28.1%) of the 110 patients, including one patient with emergency dialysis, because of hyperkalemia (n = 27) or metabolic acidosis (n = 4). Receiving operating characteristic curve analysis showed a cutoff value for serum potassium concentration < 4.0 mEq x l(-1) estimated by maximizing the Youden index. We could not find other perioperative data as significant risk factors for emergency treatment. CONCLUSIONS: About 30 percent of dialysis patients aftet elective noncardiac surgery required emergency treatment. The highest risk was high serum potassium concentrations after induction of anesthesia Preoperative serum potassium concentrations should be kept below 4.0 mEq x l(-1) to avoid postoperative emergency treatment.

Total intravenous anesthesia for aortic aneurysm replacement surgery in a patient with limb-girdle dystrophy.

We report the anesthetic management with total intravenous anesthesia of a 61-year-old male diagnosed with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy admitted for replacement of ascending aorta due to an aortic aneurysm. Limb-girdle muscular dystrophy belongs to a genetically heterogeneous group of muscular dystrophies involving shoulder and hip girdles. Although the risk of malignant hyperthermia does not seem to be increased in these patients compared with the general population, the exposure to inhaled anesthetics and succinylcholine should probably be avoided because these patients have a predisposition to hyperkalemia and rhabdomyolysis. We chose to use total intravenous anesthesia with propofol, remifentanil and muscle relaxants to reduce oxygen consumption, and later to reduce the doses of propofol and remifentanil. The combination of a carefully planned anesthetic strategy, anesthetic depth, and neuromuscular blockade monitoring is explained.

[Hyperkalemia after arterial revascularization in a patient undergoing arm replantation].

A 25-year-old man was admitted for arm replantation. His left upper arm was completely amputated by conveyer belt Anesthesia was induced with propofol (80 mg), rocuronium (50 mg), remifentanil (0.15 µg x kg(-1) x min(-1)) and maintained with sevoflurane (1-2%) and remifentanil (0.1-0.3 µg x kg(-1) x min(-1)). The plastic surgeons revascularized subclavian artery quickly but blood pressure decreased to 40-50 mmHg because of massive bleeding and plasma potassium concentration reached 5.8 mEq x l(-1). Noradrenaline (0.3 µg x kg(-1) x min(-1)) and massive albumin on behalf of red blood cells were administered. After we treated hyperkalemia and hypotension, the subclavian vein was successfully revascularized. We should maintain low potassium concentration before revascularization in patients undergoing arm replantation.

Chronic renal disease progression: treatment strategies and potassium intake.

Disordered potassium homeostasis is a common complication of chronic kidney disease and traditional management focuses on restricting potassium intake to avoid hyperkalemia. Permissive potassium intake carries the risk of hyperkalemia and hyperphosphatemia, and possibly may contribute to the development of uremic neuropathy. Excessive potassium restriction and removal by dialysis carries the risk of worsened chronic hypertension, intradialytic hypotension, renal fibrosis and cyst formation, and ventricular arrhythmias. Cohort studies have associated both hypokalemia and hyperkalemia with increased mortality in CKD. A single study of potassium intake in hemodialysis patients found increased intake associated with increased mortality despite adjustment for serum potassium concentration. We recommend avoiding mandatory potassium restriction in early chronic kidney disease. We endorse routine potassium restriction in advanced chronic kidney disease requiring hemodialysis and close monitoring of serum potassium concentration in any patients receiving renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockers.