Hyperkalemia treatment

Physiologic antagonists: 500 mg calcium chloride, or 1 gm calcium gluconate is enough to temporarily stabilize the heart from the effects of hyperkalemia

Shift K+ from plasma back into the cell: intravenous glucose (25 to 50 g dextrose, or 1-2 amps D50) plus 5-10 U regular insulin will reduce serum potassium levels within 10 to 20 minutes, and the effects last 4 to 6 hours, hyperventilation, β-agonists. In the past, bicarbonate (1 mEq/kg, or 1-2 amps in a typical adult) was recommended, however keep in mind that bicarbonate rarely helps, and furthermore binds Ca++, which may be counterproductive. Note that in the setting of liver tranplantation, prophylactic insulin and glucose has been suggested.

Increase renal excretion: diuretics (furosemide, 20-40 mg IV), resin exchange, dialysis, aldosterone agonists (fludrocortisone)

Acute Hyperkalemia Treatment

• Membrane Stabilization: CaCl2
• K+ Shift: glucose/insulin, induce alkalosis (bicarbonate, hyperventilation), β-agonists
• K+ Excretion: furosemide, resins, fludrocortisone, dialysis

Causes of acute hyperkalemia: drugs (succinylcholine, ACE/ARB’s, mannitol, spironolactone, digitalis, non-selective beta blockers) that cause decreased renal K+ excretion, reperfusion of an organ/vascular bed after ischemia (usually greater than 4 hours), adrenal inhibition or decreased aldosterone levels, transcellular shifts (intracellular to extracellular), often caused by acidosis, acute renal failure

Symptoms: mild elevation (6-7 mEq/L) can cause peaked T-waves on EKG tracing, 10-12 mEq/L can cause prolonged PR interval, widened QRS, VFib, Asystole. Clinical symptoms are muscle weakness and paralysis.