renal emergency-medicine critical-care

Hyperkalaemia Severity and ECG Risk

Stratifies hyperkalaemia severity and guides emergency treatment based on potassium level and ECG changes.

Used in: Hyperkalaemia

Score interpretation

Not Hyperkalaemic (K⁺ < 5.5 mmol/L) 0

Serum K⁺ below 5.5 mmol/L.

→ No hyperkalaemia treatment needed.

Mild Hyperkalaemia (K⁺ 5.5–5.9 mmol/L) 1

UKKA mild hyperkalaemia, no ECG changes.

→ Treat the cause; review contributing drugs and diet; repeat K⁺.

Moderate Hyperkalaemia (K⁺ 6.0–6.4 mmol/L) 2

UKKA moderate hyperkalaemia, no ECG changes.

→ 12-lead ECG; K⁺-lowering treatment per the UKKA acute hyperkalaemia algorithm; repeat K⁺ and monitor.

Severe Hyperkalaemia (K⁺ ≥ 6.5 mmol/L) 3

UKKA severe hyperkalaemia.

→ Emergency: continuous cardiac monitoring and urgent K⁺-lowering treatment per the UKKA algorithm; senior review.

Hyperkalaemia with ECG Changes — Emergency 4

ECG changes of hyperkalaemia (peaked T waves, prolonged PR, wide QRS, sine wave, arrhythmia or arrest).

→ IV calcium to protect the myocardium, then K⁺-lowering treatment per the UKKA algorithm; continuous ECG monitoring; senior / critical care review. Cardiac arrest: follow the ALS hyperkalaemia algorithm.

Interpretation bands for the Hyperkalaemia Risk. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.

References

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Calculators

Drugs

Pathways

Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.

Score interpretation

References

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