Hyperkalemia natural history, complications, and prognosis

Extreme degrees of hyperkalemia are considered a medical emergency. If left untreated hyperkalemia can cause cardiac rhythm disorders and eventually cardiac arrest leading to death. Complications that can develop as a result of hyperkalemia are arrhythmia, cardiac arrest, and neuromuscular weakness. The outcome with this condition varies. In some people, the disorder causes deadly complications, while others tolerate it well.

• Extreme degrees of hyperkalemia are considered a medical emergency
• If left untreated hyperkalemia can cause cardiac rhythm disorders and eventually cardiac arrest leading to death.^[1][2]

• Complications that can develop as a result of hyperkalemia are ^[3][4]
  • Arrhythmias
  • Cardiac arrest
  • Changes in nerve and muscle (neuromuscular) control resulting in weakness and fatigue

• The prognosis of hyperkalemia depends on the duration and the severity of hyperkalemia. The mortality rate of patients with hyperkalemia is 14%.^[5][6]
• Hyperacute and severe hyperkalemia have poor prognosis and the mortality rate is very high as compared to mild, moderate, acute and chronic hyperkalemia
• Prognosis of mild, moderate, acute and chronic is generally good if detected in time and the cause corrected.
• The prognosis worsens as potassium levels increases.

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