DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF HYPERKALEMIA: NEW APPROACHES TO SOLVING AN OLD PROBLEM

This article summarizes the current understanding of the causes and mechanisms of hyperkalemia, the most common electrolyte imbalance in patients with a therapeutic profile. The causes of hyperkalemia may be due to increased intake of potassium, impaired renal excretion, and its release from cells. Hyperkalemia entails a high risk of death from arrhythmias, and therefore even a slight increase in serum potassium levels requires its correction. The article discusses international algorithms for the prevention and treatment of acute and chronic hyperkalemia.