We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




Rapid Correction of Hyperkalemia Halves ED Mortality

By HospiMedica International staff writers
Posted on 21 Jan 2020
Print article
A new study suggests that quickly correcting high potassium levels (hyperkalemia), in the emergency department (ED) significantly reduces patient mortality.

Researchers at Stony Brook University (SBU; NY, USA) and Baylor College of Medicine (Houston, TX, USA) reviewed the electronic medical records (EMR) of 114,977 ED patients (mean age 60 years, 58% male) presenting with hyperkalemia during one year in order to determine if rapid correction of an elevated serum potassium level was associated with reduced ED mortality. Outcomes were compared between patients whose potassium was normalized--i.e., below 5.5 mEq/L--with those whose potassium did not normalize.

In all, 0.9% of the patients had hyperkalemia on admission; of these, 884 had a second potassium measurement taken within eight hours. Mortality and admission rates were higher in patients with hyperkalemia (8.5%) than those with normal potassium levels (0.8%). Mortality was lower in patients whose HK normalized (6.3%) compared to those whose potassium levels remained elevated (12.7%). After adjustment for age, creatinine, comorbidities, and initial potassium level, normalization was associated with 0.47 reduced mortality risk. The study was published on December 10, 2019, in The American Journal of Emergency Medicine.

“Millions of patients suffering with diabetes, heart failure, hypertension, and renal failure are at an increased risk for hyperkalemia. Many therapies to treat these conditions may also increase potassium levels,” said lead author Professor Adam Singer, MD, of the SBU department of emergency medicine. “Because of the increasing risk of hyperkalemia in this population, it is important to develop protocols that help quickly identify and correct hyperkalemia while the patient is still in the emergency department.”

Hyperkalemia is defined as a serum potassium concentration greater than 5.0-5.5 mEq/L (in adults); levels higher than 7 mEq/L can lead to significant hemodynamic and neurologic consequences, and when in excess of 8.5 mEq/L can lead to respiratory paralysis and cardiac arrest. The aggressiveness of therapy is directly related to the rapidity with which hyperkalemia develops, absolute hyperkalemia level, and evidence of toxicity. The faster the rise of potassium, the higher the level, and the stronger the evidence of cardiotoxicity, the more aggressive therapy should be.

Related Links:
Stony Brook University
Baylor College of Medicine


Gold Member
Real-Time Diagnostics Onscreen Viewer
GEMweb Live
Gold Member
SARS‑CoV‑2/Flu A/Flu B/RSV Sample-To-Answer Test
SARS‑CoV‑2/Flu A/Flu B/RSV Cartridge (CE-IVD)
Silver Member
Compact 14-Day Uninterrupted Holter ECG
NR-314P
New
LED Phototherapy System
Bililed Mini+

Print article

Channels

Critical Care

view channel
Image: Researchers have developed an advanced shear-thinning hydrogel for aneurysm repair (Photo courtesy of TIBI)

New Hydrogel Features Enhanced Capabilities for Treating Aneurysms and Halting Progression

Aneurysms can develop in blood vessels in different body areas, often as a result of atherosclerosis, infections, inflammatory diseases, and other risk factors. These conditions lead to chronic inflammation,... Read more

Surgical Techniques

view channel
Image: The living replacement knee will be tested in clinical trials within five years (Photo courtesy of ARPA-H)

Living Knee Replacement to Revolutionize Osteoarthritis Treatment

Osteoarthritis is the most prevalent type of arthritis, characterized by the progressive deterioration of cartilage, or the protective tissue covering the bone ends, resulting in pain, stiffness, and impaired... Read more

Health IT

view channel
Image: First ever institution-specific model provides significant performance advantage over current population-derived models (Photo courtesy of Mount Sinai)

Machine Learning Model Improves Mortality Risk Prediction for Cardiac Surgery Patients

Machine learning algorithms have been deployed to create predictive models in various medical fields, with some demonstrating improved outcomes compared to their standard-of-care counterparts.... Read more

Point of Care

view channel
Image: The new eye-safe laser technology can diagnose traumatic brain injury (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Novel Diagnostic Hand-Held Device Detects Known Biomarkers for Traumatic Brain Injury

The growing need for prompt and efficient diagnosis of traumatic brain injury (TBI), a major cause of mortality globally, has spurred the development of innovative diagnostic technologies.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.