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Overcoming the Causes (and Consequences) of Chronic Hyperkalemia

Overcoming the Causes (and Consequences) of Chronic Hyperkalemia

By Annenberg Center for Health Sciences

Chronic hyperkalemia has several possible causes, including impaired renal excretion of potassium due to a decrease in mineralocorticoid activity, often resulting from renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitor (RAASi) therapy. While limiting potassium intake and avoiding the use of RAASi therapy are common strategies to manage patients who develop chronic hyperkalemia, both have important negative consequences on patient outcomes, particularly related to the kidneys. Sodium polystyrene sulfonate has often been used to bind potassium, but limited effectiveness and gastrointestinal toxicity