According to a recent article, a study shows patients with nondialysis-dependent chronic kidney disease and transient or chronic hyperkalemia, correspond with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and even death.
Chronic Kidney Disease
Chronic kidney disease (also called chronic kidney failure or CKD) is defined as lasting damage to the kidneys that progressively gets worse over time. The kidneys filter wastes and excess fluids from your blood, excreted during urination. When chronic kidney disease reaches an advanced stage, dangerous levels of fluid, electrolytes, and wastes can build up in your body and cause health complications. There are approximately 26 million American adults with CKD.
Symptoms:
- Jaundice (yellowing of the skin)
- Stunted growth
- Vitamin deficiencies
- Enlarged liver or spleen
- Liver diseases
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue and weakness
- Sleep issues
- Changes in how much you urinate
- Muscle twitches and cramps
- Swelling of feet and ankles
- Persistent itching
- Shortness of breath
- High blood pressure
The Study’s Findings
The study looked at 36,511 patients who had chronic kidney disease (CKD) in stages 3-5 and experienced transient and chronic hyperkalemia. Researchers defined transient hyperkalemia as serum potassium levels over 5.0mmol/L for 6 months or less in the past year. Furthermore, chronic hyperkalemia was determined when it persisted for over 6 months.
Both transient and chronic hyperkalemia patterns with substantially associated with 36% and 16% increased odds of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). On the other hand, current hyperkalemia had no correlation to MACE. This study defined MACE as nonfatal stroke, heart failure, myocardial infarction, or even death due to some cardiovascular cause.
In a fully adjusted model, it was found that transient hyperkalemia was substantially associated with increased odds of death (43%). The current serum potassium values, both high and low, predicted elevated risks for death.
Based on these findings, the researchers point to potassium monitoring and evaluating potassium trends for patients with CKD and hyperkalemia.
