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
Mild hyperkalaemia (5.5-6.0, no ECG changes)
→ Dietary restriction; stop contributing drugs; treat cause; monitor 4-6 hourly
Moderate hyperkalaemia (6.0-6.5 or ECG changes)
→ Calcium resonium or patiromer; 12-lead ECG; continuous monitoring; consider insulin/dextrose
Severe / life-threatening hyperkalaemia
→ IV calcium gluconate (membrane stabilisation); insulin 10 units + 50mL 50% dextrose; salbutamol nebuliser; consider dialysis; cardiac monitoring
Interpretation bands for the Hyperkalaemia Risk. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Calculators
Drugs
- Calcium Gluconate · Electrolyte — Calcium Supplement
- Calcium Gluconate 10% · Electrolyte
- Potassium chloride with calcium chloride and sodium chloride · Crystalloid IV fluid
- Potassium chloride with calcium chloride sodium chloride and sodium lactate · Balanced crystalloid IV fluid
- Calcium carbonate with calcium lactate gluconate · Effervescent calcium supplement
- Patiromer calcium · Potassium binder
Pathways
- Hyperkalaemia Management · UK Kidney Association Guidelines 2020; NICE CKD Guidelines
- Rhabdomyolysis · Renal Association 2018; UpToDate 2024
- Hypocalcaemia (Adult) · Society for Endocrinology
- SIADH (Endocrine Perspective) · European Hyponatraemia Guidelines 2014
- Hepatorenal Syndrome · EASL 2018; ICA 2015
- Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) · KDIGO 2012 / NICE AKI 2019
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.