Low Potassium Dialysate Improves Hyperkalemia in ESRD patients

Medically Reviewed By : Dr. Kamal Kant Kohli

Published On 2021-04-13 02:45 GMT | Update On 2021-04-13 05:41 GMT

Hyperkalemia is a modifiable risk factor for sudden cardiac death, a leading cause of mortality in hemodialysis patients. A study published in the Clinical Kidney Journal on December 17, 2020, suggests that a low potassium bath for the treatment of severe hyperkalemia (>6.5 mmol/L) in hospitalized end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients are associated with decreased in-hospital mortality or cardiac arrest.

Pre-dialysis hyperkalemia is associated with higher mortality in ESRD patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD) in the outpatient setting. The optimal treatment of hyperkalemia in hospitalized ESRD patients is nonexistent in literature which has prompted studies from outpatient dialysis to be extrapolated to inpatient care. Therefore, researchers of the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, USA, conducted a study to determine whether low potassium dialysate 1 meq/L is associated with higher mortality in hospitalized ESRD patients with severe hyperkalemia (serum potassium > 6.5 mmol/L).

It was a retrospective study of all adult ESRD patients admitted with severe hyperkalemia between January 2011- August 2016. The researchers included a total of 209 ESRD patients with severe hyperkalemia during the study period. The major outcome assessed was in-hospital death or cardiac arrest. Most patients received the 1 mEq/L potassium bath during the first hour of dialysis, then transitioned to higher potassium baths.

Key findings of the study were:

Upon analysis, the researchers found that In-hospital mortality or cardiac arrest in ESRD patients with severe hyperkalemia was 12.4%.
They noted that the median time to dialysis after serum potassium result was 2.0 hours (25, 75 IQR 0.9, 4.2 hours).
They found that the use of 1mEq/L potassium bath was associated with significantly lower mortality or cardiac arrest in ESRD patients admitted with severe hyperkalemia (OR 0.27).

The authors concluded, "Use of 1K dialysis bath in hospitalized ESRD patients with severe hyperkalemia was associated with significantly lower risk of death or cardiac arrest compared to higher potassium dialysis bath."

For further information:

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ckj/sfaa263

Article Source : Clinical Kidney Journal

Disclaimer: This website is primarily for healthcare professionals. The content here does not replace medical advice and should not be used as medical, diagnostic, endorsement, treatment, or prescription advice. Medical science evolves rapidly, and we strive to keep our information current. If you find any discrepancies, please contact us at corrections@medicaldialogues.in. Read our Correction Policy here. Nothing here should be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We do not endorse any healthcare advice that contradicts a physician's guidance. Use of this site is subject to our Terms of Use, Privacy Policy, and Advertisement Policy. For more details, read our Full Disclaimer here.

NOTE: Join us in combating medical misinformation. If you encounter a questionable health, medical, or medical education claim, email us at factcheck@medicaldialogues.in for evaluation.

Dr Kartikeya Kohli

Dr Kartikeya Kohli is an Internal Medicine Consultant at Sitaram Bhartia Hospital in Delhi with super speciality training in Nephrology. He has worked with various eminent hospitals like Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Sir Gangaram Hospital. He holds an MBBS from Kasturba Medical College Manipal, DNB Internal Medicine, Post Graduate Diploma in Clinical Research and Business Development, Fellow DNB Nephrology, MRCP and ECFMG Certification. He has been closely associated with India Medical Association South Delhi Branch and Delhi Medical Association and has been organising continuing medical education programs on their behalf from time to time. Further he has been contributing medical articles for their newsletters as well. He is also associated with electronic media and TV for conduction and presentation of health programs. He has been associated with Medical Dialogues for last 3 years and contributing articles on regular basis.

Comments Policy

Our comments section is governed by our Comments Policy . By posting comments at Medical Dialogues you automatically agree with our Comments Policy , Terms And Conditions and Privacy Policy .

Low Potassium Dialysate Improves Hyperkalemia in ESRD patients

Similar News

Ticagrelor/Prasugrel as good as clopidogrel in Lowering 1-Year Mortality in STEMI Patients with Severe CKD: Study

Chlorhexidine Outperforms Ethanol in Preventing AVF Infections During Buttonhole Cannulation: Trial Finds

New discovery reveals the role of spinal cord in bladder control

Pregnancy-Related Acute Kidney Injury in low- and middle-income countries, Prevention Key to Better Outcomes: WHO

Low vitamin B12 levels associated with primary monosymptomatic nocturnal enuresis: Study

Behavioral Therapy Noninferior to Drug Treatment for Overactive Bladder in Parkinson's Disease: JAMA

Elevated hs-CRP Linked to significant Diabetic Nephropathy Risk , suggests study

Study reports final clinical trial data for advanced kidney cancer treatment