A New Era for the Treatment of Hyperkalemia

The potassium concentration within human cells is approximately 140 mmol per liter, yet extracellular potassium concentration is normally 3.5 to 5.0 mmol per liter.1,2 Hyperkalemia is defined as a plasma potassium level of greater than 5.0 mmol per liter. Mild hyperkalemia (>5.0 to 5.9 mmol per liter) requires monitoring and the avoidance of a high intake of potassium and, often, changing therapies that may be increasing potassium levels. Greater degrees of hyperkalemia — potassium levels of 6.0 to 7.0 mmol per liter (moderate hyperkalemia) and more than 7.0 mmol per liter (marked hyperkalemia) — may lead to cardiac arrhythmias . . .