Hyperkalaemia

Also: high potassium · raised potassium

Hyperkalaemia (high blood potassium) can cause dangerous heart-rhythm disturbances and is a common acute problem, especially in kidney disease. Treatment depends on severity and ECG changes.

The relevant tools, drugs and pathways are gathered here.

Calculators & scores

Hyperkalaemia Management Algorithm

Electrolyte Disorders
Transtubular Potassium Gradient (TTKG)

Electrolytes
Indications for Renal Replacement Therapy (RRT) in AKI

Treatment Decision
Hyperkalaemia Severity and ECG Risk

Electrolytes

Decision pathways

Hyperkalaemia Management

UK Kidney Association Guidelines 2020; NICE CKD Guidelines
Chronic Hyperkalaemia Management

Renal Association 2020; NICE TAs
Digoxin toxicity

TOXBASE/NPIS; ESC; SmPC DigiFab

Drugs

Sodium Bicarbonate

Alkalising Agent / Electrolyte
Calcium Gluconate

Electrolyte — Calcium Supplement
Insulin (IV Infusion — ICU Glucose Control)

Insulin — ICU Glucose Management
Patiromer

Heart Failure
Sodium Zirconium Cyclosilicate

Heart Failure
Sodium Bicarbonate 8.4%

Electrolyte Buffer
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
Sodium bicarbonate with sodium chloride

Alkalinising IV solution
Calcium chloride

IV calcium salt (high elemental calcium)
Insulin (Soluble / Actrapid)

Insulin

Patient explainers

What does a potassium blood test mean?

Decision support only. These tools are aggregated by topic to aid navigation — always apply clinical judgement and the relevant national or local guideline.