Hyperkalemia
| Hyperkalemia | |
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| potassium | |
| ICD-10 | E87.5 |
| ICD-9 | 276.7 |
| DiseasesDB | 6242 |
| MeSH | D006947 |
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Hyperkalemia Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Case Studies |
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Hyperkalemia On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Hyperkalemia |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S. [2]
Overview
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differential diagnosis
History and Symptoms
Diagnosis
In order to gather enough information for diagnosis, the measurement of potassium needs to be repeated, as the elevation can be due to hemolysis in the first sample. Generally, blood tests for renal function (creatinine, blood urea nitrogen), glucose and occasionally creatine kinase and cortisol will be performed. Calculating the trans-tubular potassium gradient can sometimes help in distinguishing the cause of the hyperkalemia.
In many cases, renal ultrasound will be performed, since hyperkalemia is highly suggestive of renal failure.
Also, electrocardiography (EKG/ECG) may be performed to determine if there is a significant risk of cardiac arrhythmias (see ECG/EKG Findings, below).
Lab tests
Electrocardiogram
Treatment
See also
References
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