Hyperkalemia

Hyperkalemia is an abnormally high concentration of potassium in the blood. It can disrupt electrical signaling in the heart and cause life-threatening arrhythmias.

Potassium homeostasis: The regulation of potassium distribution and concentration in the body. Kidney excretion and shifts between cells and blood determine whether hyperkalemia develops.
Pseudohyperkalemia: A falsely elevated measured blood potassium caused by cell damage or handling during specimen collection. Repeat testing can prevent treatment of an apparent elevation that is not present in the patient.
Chronic kidney disease: Long-term loss of kidney structure or function that impairs waste and fluid regulation. Reduced kidney capacity can limit potassium excretion, especially as disease advances.
Hypokalemia: An abnormally low concentration of potassium in the blood. It is the opposite potassium imbalance and can produce different, sometimes overlapping, ECG changes.
Renal potassium handling: The processes by which the kidneys filter, reabsorb, and secrete potassium. Reduced renal secretion is a major route to sustained potassium accumulation.
Serum potassium test: A laboratory measurement of potassium concentration in serum, the fluid remaining after blood clots. This is a common test used to identify and monitor elevated potassium.
Adrenal insufficiency: Inadequate production of adrenal hormones, including cortisol and sometimes aldosterone. Aldosterone deficiency can impair renal potassium secretion and produce hyperkalemia.
Hypernatremia: An abnormally high concentration of sodium in the blood. It is another electrolyte concentration disorder, but involves sodium rather than potassium.
Transcellular potassium shift: Movement of potassium between intracellular fluid and extracellular fluid. Potassium released from cells can raise blood concentration without increasing total body potassium.
Calcium gluconate: A calcium salt used intravenously to stabilize cardiac membranes in severe hyperkalemia. It can reduce immediate electrical instability but does not lower potassium concentration.

Linked from 27 pages