Long-term mortality and trajectory of potassium measurements following an episode of acute severe hyperkalaemia


Por: Gorriz JL, D'Marco L, Pastor-González A, Molina P, Gonzalez-Rico M, Puchades MJ, Sanchis I, Escudero V, Estañ N, de la Espriella R, Nuñez E, Pallardó L and Núñez J

Ahead of Print: 1 feb 2021
Resumen:
Background Hyperkalaemia is a common condition in patients with comorbidities such as chronic kidney disease (CKD) or congestive heart failure (HF). Moreover, severe hyperkalaemia is a potentially life-threatening condition that is associated with a higher risk of adverse clinical events such as ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Currently, data regarding the prognostic implications of chronic hyperkalaemia are available; however, information about the long-term clinical consequences after an episode of severe hyperkalaemia remains scarce. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between the trajectory of potassium measurements in patients with acute hyperkalaemia and long-term all-cause mortality. Methods This is a retrospective observational study that included patients with acute severe hyperkalaemia [potassium (K) >6 mEq/L] without haemolysis in the emergency room of Dr Peset University Hospital in Valencia, Spain searching the lab database from January 2016 to March 2017. The multivariable-adjusted association of serum potassium with mortality was assessed by using comprehensive state-of-the-art regression methods that can accommodate time-dependent exposure modelling. Results We found 172 episodes of acute hyperkalaemia in 160 patients in the emergency room. The mean +/- standard deviation age of the sample was 77 +/- 12 years and 60.5% were males. The most frequent comorbidities were CKD (71.2%), HF (35%) and diabetes mellitus (56.9%). Only 11.9% of the patients were on chronic dialysis. A quarter of the patients did not have previous CKD, making hyperkalaemia an unpredictable life-threatening complication. During the acute episode, mean potassium and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) were 6.6 +/- 0.6 (range 6.1-9.2) mEq/L and 23 +/- 16 (range 2-84) mL/min/1.73 m(2), respectively. After a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 17.3 (2.2-23.7) months, 68 patients died (42.5%). Recurrences of hyperkalaemia (K >5.5 mEq/L) were detected in 39.5% of the patients who were monitored during follow-up. We found that previous potassium levels during an acute severe hyperkalaemia episode were not predictors of mortality. Conversely, the post-discharge longitudinal trajectories of potassium were able to predict all-cause mortality (overall P = 0.0015). The effect of transitioning from hyperkalaemia to normokalaemia (K >5.5 mEq/L to K <= 5.5 mEq/L) after the acute episode was significant, and inversely associated with the risk of mortality. Conclusions Potassium levels prior to a severe hyperkalaemic event do not predict mortality. Conversely, following an episode of acute severe hyperkalaemia, serial kinetics of potassium trajectories predict the risk of death. Further evidence is needed to confirm these findings and clarify the optimal long-term management of these patients.

Filiaciones:
Gorriz JL:
 Department of Nephrology, Clínico University Hospital, INCLIVA. Universitat de València, . Valencia, Spain

D'Marco L:
 Department of Nephrology, Clínico University Hospital, INCLIVA. Universitat de València, . Valencia, Spain

Pastor-González A:
 Department of Nephrology, Clínico University Hospital, INCLIVA. Universitat de València, . Valencia, Spain

:
 Department of Nephrology, Hospital Universitario Dr Peset. Universitat de València, . Valencia, Spain

Gonzalez-Rico M:
 Department of Nephrology, Clínico University Hospital, INCLIVA. Universitat de València, . Valencia, Spain

Puchades MJ:
 Department of Nephrology, Clínico University Hospital, INCLIVA. Universitat de València, . Valencia, Spain

Sanchis I:
 Department of Nephrology, Clínico University Hospital, INCLIVA. Universitat de València, . Valencia, Spain

:
 Department of Nephrology, Hospital Universitario Dr Peset. Universitat de València, . Valencia, Spain

:
 Clinical Analysis Service, Dr Peset University Hospital

de la Espriella R:
 Department of Cardiology, Clínico University Hospital, INCLIVA. Universitat de València, . Valencia, Spain

Nuñez E:
 Department of Cardiology, Clínico University Hospital, INCLIVA. Universitat de València, . Valencia, Spain

:
 Department of Nephrology, Hospital Universitario Dr Peset. Universitat de València, . Valencia, Spain

Núñez J:
 Department of Cardiology, Clínico University Hospital, INCLIVA. Universitat de València, . Valencia, Spain

 CIBER Cardiovascular, Madrid, Spain
ISSN: 09310509





NEPHROLOGY DIALYSIS TRANSPLANTATION
Editorial
OXFORD UNIV PRESS, GREAT CLARENDON ST, OXFORD OX2 6DP, ENGLAND, Reino Unido
Tipo de documento: Article
Volumen: Número:
Páginas: 522-530
WOS Id: 000765035400001
ID de PubMed: 33508124
imagen Green Published, hybrid

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