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Hyperkalaemia

Prevalence
Causes
Clinical features
Investigations
Therapy
Prognosis
Prognosis

An increased risk of death b is associated with:   
  • potassium 6.3 mmol/ L or more
  • creatinine 136 µmol/ L or more
  • urea 10 mmol/ L or more
  • peripheral vascular disease
  • pulmonary disease
  • use of digoxin 

Why?

Prognosis with hyperkalaemia

Outcome Risk Factor PEER OR
(95% CI)		 NNH
(95% CI)
death b   hyperkalaemia
not independent 		14% 2.69
(1.87 to 3.89)		 12
(7 to 22)

Expiry date: September 2005
Levels of Evidence used in grading these guides

Authors   W   Lee , CM   Ball
Reviewer   C   Clase
CAT Writers   W   Lee , CM   Ball