Fluctuations in plasma potassium in patients on dialysis

Abstract Plasma potassium concentration is maintained in a narrow range to avoid deleterious electrophysiologic consequences of both abnormally low and high levels. This is achieved by redundant physiologic mechanisms, with the kidneys playing a central role in maintaining both short-term plasma pot...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation dialysis, transplantation, 2019-12, Vol.34 (Supplement_3), p.iii19-iii25
Main Author: Kovesdy, Csaba P
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biomarkers - blood
Humans
Kidney Failure, Chronic - blood
Kidney Failure, Chronic - therapy
Potassium - blood
Renal Dialysis - methods
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Abstract Plasma potassium concentration is maintained in a narrow range to avoid deleterious electrophysiologic consequences of both abnormally low and high levels. This is achieved by redundant physiologic mechanisms, with the kidneys playing a central role in maintaining both short-term plasma potassium stability and long-term total body potassium balance. In patients with end-stage renal disease, the lack of kidney function reduces the body’s ability to maintain normal physiologic potassium balance. Routine thrice-weekly dialysis therapy achieves long-term total body potassium mass balance, but the intermittent nature of dialytic therapy can result in wide fluctuations in plasma potassium concentration and consequently contribute to an increased risk of arrhythmogenicity. Various dialytic and nondialytic interventions can reduce the magnitude of these fluctuations, but the impact of such interventions on clinical outcomes remains unclear.
ISSN:0931-0509
1460-2385
DOI:10.1093/ndt/gfz209