A physiologic-based approach to the evaluation of a patient with hyperkalemia

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

48 Scopus citations

Abstract

Hyperkalemia generally is attributable to cell shifts or abnormal renal potassium excretion. Cell shifts account for transient increases in serum potassium levels, whereas sustained hyperkalemia generally is caused by decreased renal potassium excretion. Impaired renal potassium excretion can be caused by a primary decrease in distal sodium delivery, a primary decrease in mineralocorticoid level or activity, or abnormal cortical collecting duct function. Excessive potassium intake is an infrequent cause of hyperkalemia by itself, but can worsen the severity of hyperkalemia when renal excretion is impaired. Before concluding that a cell shift or renal defect in potassium excretion is present, pseudohyperkalemia should be excluded.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)387-393
Number of pages7
JournalAmerican Journal of Kidney Diseases
Volume56
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2010

Keywords

  • Hyperkalemia
  • abnormal collecting duct
  • cell shift
  • impaired renal potassium excretion
  • pseudohyperkalemia

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Nephrology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'A physiologic-based approach to the evaluation of a patient with hyperkalemia'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this