Importance of Hyperkalemia Management in Cardiovascular Disease

Hyperkalemia develops in a patient with systemic arterial hypertension if one or more risk factors are present, namely chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, heart failure, or pharmacological therapy that inhibits potassium homeostasis, mainly by inhibiting renin-angiotensin-aldosterone. Hyperkalemia is a significant cause of morbidity (visits to the emergency department and hospitalization) and portends a higher risk of mortality in patients at risk. There are no clear, specific, standardized guidelines for the treatment of hyperkalemia in patients with chronic kidney disease and/or heart failure, which is problematic given that hyperkalemia can often be a life-threatening condition. The purpose of this review is to identify risk factors for high serum potassium, highlight risk in comparison with the benefits of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone inhibitors for certain patient groups, and describe preventive and therapeutic strategies for hyperkalemia.

Keywords:Hyperkalemia; Cardiovascular disease; Kidney disease; Patiromer