Hyperkalemia classification

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Jogeet Singh Sekhon, M.D. [2]; Huda A. Karman, M.D.

Overview

Hyperkalemia develops when blood potassium levels are more than 5.1 meq/L. Hyperkalemia can be classified based on the potassium levels, duration of onset and the cause of hyperkalemia.

Classification

Hyperkalemia may be classified according to the potassium levels as : ^[1]^[2]
- Mild- potassium levels between 5.1-6.0 mEq/L.
- Moderate- potassium levels between 6.1-7.0 mEq/L.
- Severe- potassium levels more than 7.0 mEq/L.
Hyperkalemia can be classified on the basis of duration as ^[3] :
- Hyperacute- develops in a few hours, usually in tissue breakdown or parenteral potassium supplement.
- Acute-develops within 48 hours, could be due to acute kidney injury.
- Chronic-develops gradually, usually due to chronic diseases such as chronic kidney disease.^[4]

Hyperkalemia classification type	Characterestics
Based on potassium levels	Mild
Potassium levels between 5.1-6.0 mEq/L.
Moderate
Potassium levels between 6.1-7.0 mEq/L.
Severe
Potassium levels more than 7.0 mEq/L.
Based on the duration	Hyperacute
Develops in a few hours Usually due to tissue breakdown Or due to parenteral potassium supplement.
Acute
Develops within 48 hours, Could be due to acute kidney injury.
Chronic
Develops gradually, Usually due to chronic diseases such as chronic kidney disease

References

↑ Lehnhardt A, Kemper MJ (2011). “Pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of hyperkalemia”. Pediatr Nephrol. 26 (3): 377–84. doi:10.1007/s00467-010-1699-3. PMC 3061004. PMID 21181208.
↑ Adrogué HJ, Madias NE (1981). “Changes in plasma potassium concentration during acute acid-base disturbances”. Am J Med. 71 (3): 456–67. PMID 7025622.
↑ Magner PO, Robinson L, Halperin RM, Zettle R, Halperin ML (1988). “The plasma potassium concentration in metabolic acidosis: a re-evaluation”. Am J Kidney Dis. 11 (3): 220–4. PMID 3344745.
↑ Lee HK, Brough TJ, Curtis MB, Polito FA, Yeo KT (2008). “Pseudohyperkalemia–is serum or whole blood a better specimen type than plasma?”. Clin Chim Acta. 396 (1–2): 95–6. doi:10.1016/j.cca.2008.06.022. PMID 18638465.

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[pmid21181208-1] Lehnhardt A, Kemper MJ (2011). “Pathogenesis, diagnosis and management of hyperkalemia”. Pediatr Nephrol. 26 (3): 377–84. doi:10.1007/s00467-010-1699-3. PMC 3061004. PMID 21181208.

[pmid7025622-2] Adrogué HJ, Madias NE (1981). “Changes in plasma potassium concentration during acute acid-base disturbances”. Am J Med. 71 (3): 456–67. PMID 7025622.

[pmid3344745-3] Magner PO, Robinson L, Halperin RM, Zettle R, Halperin ML (1988). “The plasma potassium concentration in metabolic acidosis: a re-evaluation”. Am J Kidney Dis. 11 (3): 220–4. PMID 3344745.

[pmid18638465-4] Lee HK, Brough TJ, Curtis MB, Polito FA, Yeo KT (2008). “Pseudohyperkalemia–is serum or whole blood a better specimen type than plasma?”. Clin Chim Acta. 396 (1–2): 95–6. doi:10.1016/j.cca.2008.06.022. PMID 18638465.

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