The role of calcium agents in hyperkalemia

Written by Wei Shi Liang
Intensive Care Unit
Updated on September 07, 2024
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Change the excitability of autonomic cells to protect the heart. Hyperkalemia mainly affects the conduction of the heart and neuromuscular system. Typical clinical manifestations include severe bradycardia, atrioventricular block, and even sinus arrest. By using calcium agents to change the excitability of autonomic cells, we can protect the heart from the damage to the conduction system caused by hyperkalemia. This allows the potassium ions to move from outside the cell to inside the cell. While protecting the myocardium, it is also necessary to use some medications to lower blood potassium. If the blood potassium is particularly high, dialysis or continuous bedside blood filtration can be used to reduce the blood potassium to a normal range.

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Mild hyperkalemia clinical manifestations

When blood potassium exceeds 5.5 millimoles per liter, it is referred to as hyperkalemia. Clinically, mild manifestations of hyperkalemia commonly involve the cardiovascular system, including bradycardia, audible enlargement of the heart, and weakened heart sounds. The electrocardiogram may show a shortened QT interval and peaked T waves. Symptoms related to the neuromuscular system include numbness in the lips and limbs, muscle soreness, and, in severe cases, paralysis of the respiratory muscles, which can lead to suffocation. All cases of hyperkalemia present various degrees of metabolic acidosis or azotemia, among other symptoms.

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Written by Wei Shi Liang
Intensive Care Unit
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Is hyperkalemia acidosis?

Hyperkalemia is not acidosis, but during acidosis, the hydrogen ions of the gastric fluid within cells enter the cells, causing the potassium ions inside the cells to move to the extracellular fluid, resulting in hyperkalemia. Clinically, it is commonly seen in organic acidosis, lactic acidosis, diabetic ketoacidosis, and acute renal failure causing acidosis. Once hyperkalemia occurs and is diagnosed, immediate treatment should be administered. First, the primary disease should be treated; next, serum potassium should be reduced. In particularly severe cases, bedside hemofiltration can be administered, and the cardiotoxic effects of hyperkalemia should be mitigated.

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What should not be eaten with hyperkalemia?

Potassium is an important element in human blood. Typically, the electrolytes we measure in blood tests include sodium, potassium, chloride, and calcium. Both low and high levels of potassium can have adverse effects on the body, especially hyperkalemia, which can cause sudden cardiac arrest and is considered dangerous in clinical settings. Patients with normal kidney function are less likely to develop hyperkalemia, which is more commonly seen in those who may have consumed Chinese herbal medicines containing high amounts of potassium for a long time. In patients with renal insufficiency, due to impaired kidney excretory function, hyperkalemia occurs more easily. Patients with hyperkalemia should generally avoid ACE inhibitors and ARB medications. For example, drugs like ACE inhibitors and spironolactone can further exacerbate hyperkalemia, so these types of medications are definitely not advisable. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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What medication is used for hyperkalemia?

Hyperkalemia is primarily treated by promoting diuresis to enhance the elimination of potassium, while calcium gluconate can also be administered intravenously to counteract the inhibitory effects of potassium on the heart. Additionally, concentrated glucose with insulin can be used to shift excess potassium ions from the blood. Sodium bicarbonate can also be used to alkalinize the blood's pH to help reduce potassium levels. All these treatments must be conducted safely. In cases of severe hyperkalemia, dialysis may be necessary. If arrhythmias, bradycardia, or myocardial depression occur, the installation of a temporary pacemaker, along with hemodialysis, may be required. (Medication should be administered under the guidance of a physician.)

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What are the causes of hyperkalemia?

The first reason is the excessive intake or administration of potassium, which can lead to hyperkalemia. For example, consuming foods that are very rich in potassium, or intravenously infusing solutions containing potassium. Additionally, the use of potassium salts of penicillin can also cause hyperkalemia, as well as the transfusion of stored blood, which can easily lead to hyperkalemia. Besides excessive intake and administration of potassium, diseases related to reduced excretion can also cause hyperkalemia, such as the most common instances during acute or chronic renal failure, where patients are prone to hyperkalemia. Furthermore, patients with reduced adrenal cortex function, such as aldosterone deficiency or Addison's disease, are also prone to hyperkalemia. Additionally, the use of diuretics that inhibit potassium excretion, notably spironolactone—a potassium-sparing diuretic—can also cause an increase in blood potassium levels. Another reason is a change in potassium distribution, such as when potassium moves from inside the cells to the outside, which can easily lead to hyperkalemia. This is common in cases of tissue damage, such as muscle contusion, or electrical burns, and tissue hypoxia, which also can easily lead to a change in potassium distribution, causing an increase in extracellular potassium. If hemolysis occurs in a test tube, such as if the venipuncture takes too long, or in conditions like leukocytosis or severe shaking of the blood sample, these might also lead to hyperkalemia. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a doctor.)