Observations placeholder
More lives have been lost than saved
Identifier
005754
Type of Spiritual Experience
None
Background
Not an experience as such unless you count death.
The paper is about potassium imbalances in general
A description of the experience
Drug-induced hyperkalemia - Ponce SP, Jennings AE, Madias NE, Harrington JT.
After reviewing the available data on drug-induced hyperkalemia, we conclude that the situation has not improved since Lawson quantitatively documented the substantial risks of potassium chloride over a decade ago (90).
As discussed, the risk of developing hyperkalemia in hospital remains at least at the range of 1 to 2% and can reach 10%, depending on the definition used. Potassium chloride supplements and potassium-sparing diuretics remain the major culprits but they have been joined by a host of new actors, e.g., salt substitutes, beta-blockers, converting enzyme inhibitors, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory agents, and heparin, among others.
Readily identifiable risk factors (other than drugs) for developing hyperkalemia are well-known but seem to be consistently ignored, even in teaching hospitals.
The presence of diabetes mellitus, renal insufficiency, hypoaldosteronism, and age greater than 60 years results in a substantial increase in the risk of hyperkalemia from the use of any of the drugs we have reviewed.
If prevention of hyperkalemia is the goal, as it should be, the current widespread and indiscriminate use of potassium supplements and potassium-sparing diuretics will need to end. We remain intrigued by Burchell's prescient pronouncement of over a decade ago that "more lives have been lost than saved by potassium therapy"
PMID:
2865667
The source of the experience
PubMedConcepts, symbols and science items
Concepts
Symbols
Science Items
Activities and commonsteps
Activities
Overloads
ACE inhibitorsBeta blockers
Blood thinners
Diuretics
Mineral supplements
Pain killers and NSAIDS
Potassium deficiency treatments
Potassium imbalance