​Medical specialists urgently need more knowledge on how to treat and manage hyperkalaemia (too much potassium in the blood), which may cause respiratory muscle weakness and potentially fatal heart rhythm disturbance.

This is according to a new study at Stellenbosch University (SU).

“We found that there is a paucity of data on the knowledge and practice patterns of medical specialists regarding the emergency management of hyperkalaemia. There is also a lack of consensus regarding the best way to manage it, which may result in wide variations in practice and the guidance provided to junior staff," says Dr Yazied Chothia, senior lecturer and nephrologist in the Division of Nephrology in the Department of Medicine at SU's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. He conducted the research with colleagues Prof Usuf Chikte (Division of Health Systems and Public Health, Department of Global Health) and Dr Razeen Davids (Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine).

They conducted the first comprehensive survey in South Africa among specialists in nephrology, internal medicine, emergency medicine and critical-care medicine to evaluate their knowledge regarding the diagnosis and management of hyperkalaemia, with a focus on insulin-based therapy. Insulin-based therapy is the most favoured pharmacological method for treating hyperkalaemia. Dextrose (a type of sugar) is usually co-administered to prevent low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia).

“Our aim was to identify knowledge gaps and to inform the development of learning resources to guide the optimal management of this life-threatening condition."

The findings of their study were published recently in the African Journal of Nephrology.

​According to the researchers, various recommendations exist regarding the dosing, sequence and rates of administration for insulin and dextrose to treat hyperkalaemia.

They identified important shortcomings regarding the knowledge and management of hyperkalaemia among medical specialists.

“These included tented T waves as the most common electrocardiogram (ECG) change (change in heart rhythm) to trigger therapy, the time for the potassium concentration to reach its nadir following insulin administration, whether the potassium concentration would return to its pre-shift value and when this was expected to occur, defining resistant hyperkalaemia, and the expectation and surveillance of hypoglycaemia following insulin-based therapy.

“Two-thirds of respondents routinely performed an ECG before deciding whether a patient required treatment for hyperkalaemia, with more non-nephrologists performing an ECG. Nearly three quarters of respondents thought that there was a poor correlation between potassium and the presence of ECG changes."

The researchers add that nephrologists tended to start therapy at a higher range of serum potassium/potassium in the blood (6,0–6,5 millimoles per litre [mmol/L]), defined by many as moderate to severe hyperkalaemia.

“We speculate that this is because of the high frequency with which they encounter patients with severe hyperkalaemia.

“Regarding pharmacological therapy, all the respondents indicated that they regarded insulin and dextrose therapy as the most effective and reliable method for shifting potassium into cells. This was not surprising because insulin-based therapy is regarded by most authorities as the cornerstone of treatment."

According to researchers, fewer than half of the respondents were aware that serum potassium would reach its nadir at 60 minutes after insulin was administered and less than two-thirds indicated that they anticipated the potassium value to return to its pre-shift value. Only a third expected this to occur at 4–6 hours following insulin therapy.

“Of concern was the low expectation of hypoglycaemia by respondents, with only 14% anticipating hypoglycaemia between 2–3 hours after insulin had been administered and 22% indicating that hypoglycaemia was uncommon if dextrose was co-administered. Only 30% checked the glucose concentration in the blood at two hours, and only 22% at three hours."

Recommendations

Based on the knowledge gaps that they have identified, the researchers make a few recommendations that could help medical specialists in the treatment and management of hyperkalaemia.

They say medical specialists should start therapy when potassium is higher or equal to 6 mmol/L or when they noticed any degree of hyperkalaemia which is accompanied by symptoms or ECG changes.

“An ECG should be performed on all patients. Calcium salts should be administered only when there are ECG changes. Calcium salts are used to protect the heart from the dangerous effects of hyperkalaemia.

“Short-acting insulin should be administered as a push (bolus) of 10 units, intravenously. Lower doses (five units) should be considered in patients with chronic kidney disease and kidney failure.

“Patients should be monitored for symptoms of hypoglycaemia and serum glucose concentrations should be measured hourly for at least three hours, and up to six hours, following insulin-based therapy. The potassium concentration should be checked one hour following insulin-based therapy as this is when the nadir is expected."

The researchers say their study emphasises the need to address knowledge gaps, particularly around the optimal and safe use of insulin-based therapies. “Our findings and recommendations should be useful in informing the development of consensus guidelines and educational resources on hyperkalaemia."

• Source: Chothia M-Y, Chikte U, & Davids MR 2022. Knowledge of medical specialists on the emergency management of hyperkalaemia with a focus on insulin-based therapy. African Journal of Nephrology. Volume 25, No 1, 2022, 14-25: DOI: https://doi.org/10.21804/25-1-5002
  

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