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Hyperkalaemia: Difference between revisions
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'''Hyperkalaemia''' is a disorder of [[potassium]] homeostasis characterised by high levels of potassium (>4.5 mmol/L). It's a relatively common electrolyte abnormality, and more common than [[hypokalaemia]]. | {{Infobox medical condition | ||
| name = Hyperkalaemia | |||
| definition = Serum potassium > 5.0 | |||
| cause = Chronic kidney disease, RAAS inhibitors | |||
| symptoms = Muscle weakness | |||
| treatment = Calcium gluconate i.v., insulin + glucose | |||
| complications = Fatal arrhythmia | |||
}} | |||
'''Hyperkalaemia''' is a disorder of [[potassium]] homeostasis characterised by high levels of potassium (>4.5 mmol/L). It's a relatively common electrolyte abnormality, and more common than [[hypokalaemia]]. Hyperkalaemia almost always occurs in the context of reduced potassium excretion by the kidneys, either due to kidney disease or due to medications which reduce the excretion. The most common symptom is muscle weakness, and the most dangerous complication is fatal arrhythmia. Treatment involves stabilising the cardiac membrane by using calcium, moving potassium into cells by using insulin and glucose, and by increased potassium removal from the body by dialysis, potassium-losing diuretics, or a gastrointestinal cation exchanger. | |||
== Grading of severity == | == Grading of severity == | ||