Current treatment and unmet needs of hyperkalaemia in the emergency department

Comparative Efficacy of Sodium Zirconium Cyclosilicate and Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate for Acute Hyperkalemia: A Retrospective Chart Review

Background: Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (SPS) is a nonselective sodium-potassium exchange resin commonly used along with intravenous (IV) insulin, albuterol, furosemide, and/or calcium for the treatment of acute hyperkalemia. Sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (SZC) is a newer non-absorbed exchange resin that preferentially increases fecal potassium excretion from the gastrointestinal tract. Limited data exists on the efficacy of SZC for the treatment of acute hyperkalemia. Objectives: To assess the achievement of normokalemia (serum potassium level [K+] 3.5-5.2 mmol/L) within 24 hours after administration of SZC or SPS in combination with insulin regular IV push. Methods: A multicenter, retrospective chart review (2020-2021) using electronic medical records at an academic health system. The study population included adult patients receiving one or more doses of SZC or SPS in combination with IV insulin for acute hyperkalemia (K+ >5.2 mmol/L). Patients receiving dialysis were excluded. Serum chemistries were assessed at baseline and an additional 2 values within 24 hours to determine normokalemia and hypokalemia at each follow-up. Results: Of 141 patients included, 51 received SZC and 90 received SPS. Normokalemia at the first follow-up was achieved in 51.0% of patients receiving SZC and 46.7% of patients receiving SPS (P = .622) and was sustained in 35.3%versus 44.4% (P = .289) of patients within 24 hours. Mean serum potassium differences from baseline to first follow-up were similar between SZC and SPS groups (0.9 mmol/L vs 1.0 mmol/L). Hypokalemia within 24 hours of administration occurred in 4 patients-1 in SZC, 3 in SPS. Conclusion: Both SZC and SPS yielded similar rates of normokalemia achievement with IV insulin for the treatment of acute hyperkalemia. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings.

Acute Hyperkalemia Management in the Emergency Department

Acute hyperkalemia is characterized by high concentrations of potassium in the blood that can potentially lead to life-threatening arrhythmias that require emergent treatment. Therapy involves the utilization of a constellation of different agents, all targeting different goals of care. The first, and most important step in the treatment of severe hyperkalemia with electrocardiographic (ECG) changes, is to stabilize the myocardium with calcium in order to resolve or mitigate the development of arrythmias. Next, it is vital to target the underlying etiology of any ECG changes by redistributing potassium from the extracellular space with the use of intravenous regular insulin and inhaled beta-2 agonists. Finally, the focus should shift to the elimination of excess potassium from the body through the use of intravenous furosemide, oral potassium-binding agents, or renal replacement therapy. Multiple nuances and controversies exist with these therapies, and it is important to have a robust understanding of the underlying support and recommendations for each of these agents to ensure optimal efficacy and minimize the potential for adverse effects and medication errors.

Patiromer utility as an adjunct treatment in patients needing urgent hyperkalaemia management (PLATINUM): design of a multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study

INTRODUCTION

Hyperkalaemia is common, life-threatening and often requires emergency department (ED) management; however, no standardised ED treatment protocol exists. Common treatments transiently reducing serum potassium (K+) (including albuterol, glucose and insulin) may cause hypoglycaemia. We outline the design and rationale of the Patiromer Utility as an Adjunct Treatment in Patients Needing Urgent Hyperkalaemia Management (PLATINUM) study, which will be the largest ED randomised controlled hyperkalaemia trial ever performed, enabling assessment of a standardised approach to hyperkalaemia management, as well as establishing a new evaluation parameter (net clinical benefit) for acute hyperkalaemia treatment investigations.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

PLATINUM is a Phase 4, multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in participants who present to the ED at approximately 30 US sites. Approximately 300 adult participants with hyperkalaemia (K+ ≥5.8 mEq/L) will be enrolled. Participants will be randomised 1:1 to receive glucose (25 g intravenously <15 min before insulin), insulin (5 units intravenous bolus) and aerosolised albuterol (10 mg over 30 min), followed by a single oral dose of either 25.2 g patiromer or placebo, with a second dose of patiromer (8.4 g) or placebo after 24 hours. The primary endpoint is net clinical benefit, defined as the mean change in the number of additional interventions less the mean change in serum K+, at hour 6. Secondary endpoints are net clinical benefit at hour 4, proportion of participants without additional K+-related medical interventions, number of additional K+-related interventions and proportion of participants with sustained K+ reduction (K+ ≤5.5 mEq/L). Safety endpoints are the incidence of adverse events, and severity of changes in serum K+ and magnesium.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

A central Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Ethics Committee provided protocol approval (#20201569), with subsequent approval by local IRBs at each site, and participants will provide written consent. Primary results will be published in peer-reviewed manuscripts promptly following study completion.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT04443608.

Detection of Fatal Potassium Overdose: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Potassium overdose usually occurs accidentally, but potassium is also used for judicial executions, assisted death, and, rarely, suicides. In addition to exogenous overdose, various drugs, and renal failure, diabetic ketoacidosis can cause hyperkalemia. Potassium tablets are used in most cases of suicidal potassium overdose. Suicide by intravenous administration of potassium is rare but usually fatal. The author reports a rare case of suicide with potassium infusion. Autopsy and histology findings, along with post-mortem biochemical analysis of different body fluids and fluid from the infusion set, are reported. Previously published reports of potassium overdose were reviewed, and the detection possibilities of potassium overdose are discussed. The detection possibilities of lethal hyperkalemia are very limited since hyperkalemia produces only nonspecific autopsy and histology findings. Post-mortem potassium concentrations are not indicative of ante-mortem potassium concentrations; therefore, post-mortem biochemical analysis has limited value in determining potassium overdose. The best way to prove potassium overdose is via the collection and analysis of circumstantial evidence.

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate versus sodium zirconium cyclosilicate for the treatment of hyperkalemia in the emergency department

BACKGROUND

Hyperkalemia accounts for over 800,000 emergency department (ED) visits in the United States each year, and has been associated with significant morbidity and mortality likely due to fatal cardiac dysrhythmias. Previous studies have demonstrated reductions in mortality when potassium levels are normalized in the ED. Cation exchange resins, such as sodium polystyrene sulfonate (SPS) and sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (SZC), may be administered as a means of definitively eliminating potassium from the body. This practice is based on physician preference and is not supported by high quality data. Two studies evaluating the use of cation exchange resins versus standard treatment in the ED demonstrated reductions in serum potassium levels within two hours of administration; however, there have been no published studies investigating these agents in a head-to-head comparison.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SPS versus SZC in lowering serum potassium in patients presenting to the ED with hyperkalemia.

METHODS

This was an institutional review board-approved, retrospective cohort study conducted at a single-site ED. All patients who received medications under the "ED Hyperkalemia Treatment" order set between August 26, 2019 and May 13, 2021 were eligible for inclusion. The primary outcome was the change in serum potassium from baseline to first repeat level following SPS or SZC administration in the ED.

RESULTS

A total of 885 patients were screened with 54 patients in the SPS group and 51 patients in the SZC group included in the final analyses. The mean change in serum potassium from baseline to first repeat level following administration of the cation exchange resin was -1.1 mEq/L for both groups.

CONCLUSION

Administration of SPS or SZC for the treatment of hyperkalemia in the ED resulted in similar reductions in serum potassium.

Risk factors, prevention and treatment of hypoglycaemia after hyperkalaemia in adult patients using intravenous insulin: An integrative review

AIM

An integrative review was conducted to synthesize published evidence on the prevention and treatment of hypoglycaemia and patient risk factors, in adult patients treated for hyperkalaemia with intravenous insulin and dextrose.

METHODS

This review followed the framework by Whittemore and Knafl. Papers included were limited to English language studies involving participants who were aged 18 years and above and admitted in the inpatient acute care and emergency departments. The literature search was performed using five electronic databases (CINAHL, Embase, PubMed, Proquest and Cochrane).

RESULTS

A total of 22 studies were included. Two main themes were derived-patient risk factors and prevention-intervention strategies. Five main patient risk factors were lower pretreatment blood glucose (<7 mmol/L), lower weight, renal insufficiencies, older age and nondiabetic. The four subthemes in the prevention-intervention strategies included (i) methods of administration and dosing of intravenous insulin and dextrose, (ii) frequency of blood glucose monitoring, (iii) education to healthcare professionals and (iv) rescue agents.

CONCLUSIONS

Standardized computerized order sets and integrated decision tool that can advise appropriate prescription of a higher volume of dextrose or lower insulin dose according to patient risk factors, regular monitoring and reinforced education may prevent and mitigate the risk of hypoglycaemia.

Fifteen-minute consultation: Emergency management of children presenting with hyperkalaemia

Hyperkalaemia can lead to life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. A good understanding of the physiological basis of management can help us rationalise treatment and reduce plasma potassium levels efficiently and effectively. Management focuses on avoidance of arrythmias, rapid intracellular movement of potassium and finally reduction of total body potassium. Fluid management in hyperkalaemia should be carefully considered, with balanced solutions providing theoretical benefits compared to 0.9% saline in certain situations.

Short-Term Changes in Serum Potassium and the Risk of Subsequent Vascular Events and Mortality: Results from a Randomized Controlled Trial of ACE Inhibitors

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Hyperkalemia after starting renin-angiotensin system inhibitors has been shown to be subsequently associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular and kidney outcomes. However, whether to continue or discontinue the drug after hyperkalemia remains unclear.

DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS, & MEASUREMENTS

Data came from the Action in Diabetes and Vascular Disease: Preterax and Diamicron Modified Release Controlled Evaluation (ADVANCE) trial, which included a run-in period where all participants initiated angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-based therapy (a fixed combination of perindopril and indapamide). The study population was taken as patients with type 2 diabetes with normokalemia (serum potassium of 3.5 to <5.0 mEq/L) at the start of run-in. Potassium was remeasured 3 weeks later when a total of 9694 participants were classified into hyperkalemia (≥5.0 mEq/L), normokalemia, and hypokalemia (<3.5 mEq/L) groups. After run-in, patients were randomized to continuation of the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-based therapy or placebo; major macrovascular, microvascular, and mortality outcomes were analyzed using Cox regression during the following 4.4 years (median).

RESULTS

During active run-in, 556 (6%) participants experienced hyperkalemia. During follow-up, 1505 participants experienced the primary composite outcome of major macrovascular and microvascular events. Randomized treatment of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-based therapy significantly decreased the risk of the primary outcome (38.1 versus 42.0 per 1000 person-years; hazard ratio, 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.83 to 1.00; P=0.04) compared with placebo. The magnitude of effects did not differ across subgroups defined by short-term changes in serum potassium during run-in (P for heterogeneity =0.66). Similar consistent treatment effects were also observed for all-cause death, cardiovascular death, major coronary events, major cerebrovascular events, and new or worsening nephropathy (P for heterogeneity ≥0.27).

CONCLUSIONS

Continuation of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor-based therapy consistently decreased the subsequent risk of clinical outcomes, including cardiovascular and kidney outcomes and death, regardless of short-term changes in serum potassium.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRY NAME AND REGISTRATION NUMBER

Action in Diabetes and Vascular Disease: Preterax and Diamicron Modified Release Controlled Evaluation (ADVANCE), NCT00145925.

Real-World Management of Hyperkalemia in the Emergency Department: An Electronic Medical Record Analysis

Introduction

Hyperkalemia is often managed in the emergency department (ED) and it is important to understand how ED management and post-discharge outcomes vary by hyperkalemia severity. This study was conducted to characterize ED management and post-discharge outcomes across hyperkalemia severities.

Methods

Adults with an ED visit with hyperkalemia (at least one serum potassium lab measure above 5.0 mEq/L) were selected from US electronic medical record data (2012–2018). Patient characteristics, potassium levels, treatments, and monitoring prior to and during the ED visit were compared by hyperkalemia severity (mild [> 5.0–5.5 mEq/L], moderate [> 5.5–6.0], severe [> 6.0]) using unadjusted analyses. Death, immediate inpatient admission, 30-day hyperkalemia recurrence, and 30-day inpatient admission were also assessed by severity.

Results

Of 6222 patients included, 4432 (71.2%) had mild hyperkalemia, 1085 (17.4%) had moderate, and 705 (11.3%) had severe hyperkalemia. Chronic kidney disease (39.9–50.1%) and heart failure (21.6–24.3%) were common. In the ED, electrocardiograms (mild, 56.5%; moderate, 69.6%; severe, 81.0%) and patients with at least two potassium laboratory values increased with severity (15.0%; 40.4%; 75.5%). Among patients with at least two potassium laboratory values, over half of patients (60.4%) had potassium levels ≤ 5.0 mEq/L prior to discharge. Use of potassium-binding treatments (sodium polystyrene sulfonate: mild = 4.1%; moderate = 17.1%; severe = 27.4%), temporizing agents (5.6%; 15.5%; 31.6%), or dialysis (0.4%; 0.8%; 3.0%) increased with severity; treatment at discharge was not common. Death (1.1%; 3.7%; 10.6%), immediate admission to inpatient care (5.8%; 8.7%; 12.7%), 30-day hyperkalemia recurrence (2.9%; 19.0%; 32.5%), 30-day inpatient admission with hyperkalemia (6.5%; 7.9%; 9.3%) also increased with severity.

Conclusion

Patients with moderate and severe hyperkalemia experienced elevated risk of hyperkalemia recurrence and hyperkalemia-related inpatient readmission following discharge from the ED from a descriptive analysis. Future research to assess strategies to reduce hyperkalemia recurrence and inpatient admission in this patient population would be beneficial.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s12325-021-02017-w.

Dispelling myths and misconceptions about the treatment of acute hyperkalemia

Hyperkalemia represents a widespread and potentially lethal condition that affects millions of people across their lives. Despite the prevalence and severity of the condition, there are no consensus guidelines on the treatment of hyperkalemia or even a standard definition. Herein, we provide a succinct review of what we believe to be the most significant misconceptions encountered in the emergency care of hyperkalemia, examine current available literature, and discuss practical points on several modalities of hyperkalemia treatment. Additionally, we review the pathophysiology of the electrocardiographic effects of hyperkalemia and how intravenous calcium preparations can antagonize these effects. We conclude each section with recommendations to aid emergency physicians in making safe and efficacious choices for the treatment of acute hyperkalemia.

Hyperkalemia management in the emergency department: An expert panel consensus

Hyperkalemia is a common electrolyte abnormality identified in the emergency department (ED) and potentially fatal. However, there is no consensus over the potassium threshold that warrants intervention or its treatment algorithm. Commonly used medications are at best temporizing measures, and the roles of binders are unclear in the emergent setting. As the prevalence of comorbid conditions altering potassium homeostasis rises, hyperkalemia becomes more common, and hence there is a need to standardize management. A panel was assembled to synthesize the available evidence and identify gaps in knowledge in hyperkalemia treatment in the ED. The panel was composed of 7 medical practitioners, including 5 physicians, a nurse, and a clinical pharmacist with collective expertise in the areas of emergency medicine, nephrology, and hospital medicine. This panel was sponsored by the American College of Emergency Physicians with a goal to create a consensus document for managing acute hyperkalemia. The panel evaluated the evidence on calcium for myocyte stabilization and potassium shifting and excretion. This article summarizes information on available therapies for hyperkalemia and proposes a hyperkalemia treatment algorithm for the ED practitioner based on the currently available literature and highlights diagnostic pitfalls and evidence gaps.

Smart wearable devices in cardiovascular care: where we are and how to move forward

Technological innovations reach deeply into our daily lives and an emerging trend supports the use of commercial smart wearable devices to manage health. In the era of remote, decentralized and increasingly personalized patient care, catalysed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the cardiovascular community must familiarize itself with the wearable technologies on the market and their wide range of clinical applications. In this Review, we highlight the basic engineering principles of common wearable sensors and where they can be error-prone. We also examine the role of these devices in the remote screening and diagnosis of common cardiovascular diseases, such as arrhythmias, and in the management of patients with established cardiovascular conditions, for example, heart failure. To date, challenges such as device accuracy, clinical validity, a lack of standardized regulatory policies and concerns for patient privacy are still hindering the widespread adoption of smart wearable technologies in clinical practice. We present several recommendations to navigate these challenges and propose a simple and practical 'ABCD' guide for clinicians, personalized to their specific practice needs, to accelerate the integration of these devices into the clinical workflow for optimal patient care.

Paper-Based Optode Devices (PODs) for Selective Quantification of Potassium in Biological Fluids

This paper describes the design, fabrication, and feasibility of paper-based optode devices (PODs) for sensing potassium selectively in biological fluids. PODs operate in exhaustive mode and integrate with a handheld, smartphone-connected optical reader. This integrated measuring system provides significant advantages over traditional optode membranes and other paper-based designs, by obtaining a linear optical response to potassium concentration via a simple, stackable design and by harnessing a smartphone to provide an easy-to-use interface, thus enabling remote monitoring of diseases.

Severe hyperkalaemia due to a potential drug-drug interaction between eplerenone and antiretrovirals in a HIV-positive patient after a myocardial infarction

We present a case of a 48-year-old white HIV-1 positive man who presented an acute myocardial infarction. The patient was on ART for the last ten years with emtricitabine/tenofovir and ritonavir-boosted fosamprenavir. Eplerenone 25 mg/day was also initiated due to a left ventricular dysfunction. A week after discharge a routine laboratory examination revealed severe hyperkalaemia. Due to suspicion of a potential drug-drug interaction, both eplerenone and ARVs were interrupted. Despite daily treatment for hyperkalaemia, serum potassium levels normalized after two weeks. Eplerenone is metabolized by the hepatic P450 cytochrome isoenzyme CYP3A4; therefore, concomitant administration with CYP3A4 inhibitors, like ritonavir, may increase plasma levels of eplerenone and, therefore, the risk of side effects, mainly hyperkalaemia. Based on this case, it is important to alert the medical community of this possible life-threatening drug-drug interaction between eplerenone and ritonavir-boosted protease inhibitor.

Severe Persistent Hyperkalemia with Electrocardiogram Changes in a Patient with Hyperaldosteronism

A 62-year-old female presented to the emergency department (ED) with fatigue and generalized body weakness for the last three days. Upon arrival, initial ECG showed wide complex tachycardia with sine waves and a heart rate (HR) ranging between 100-170 bpm. She was otherwise vitally stable. The patient had a past medical history of hyperaldosteronism, type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), chronic kidney disease (CKD) with microalbuminuria, and hypertension. She also had a history of cerebrovascular accident (CVA) and residual left-sided weakness more pronounced in the upper limb. Initial venous blood gas (VBG) analysis showed a potassium level of more than 10 mmol/L, chloride 114 mmol/L, bicarbonate 9 mmol/L, sodium 135 mmol/L, and pH of 7.1. Treatment for hyperkalemia was started immediately with calcium gluconate 1 gm that effectively narrowed her QRS complex and normalized her ECG. Salbutamol nebulization, glucose/insulin infusion, and calcium polystyrene syrup were given. Later, she was started on 100 mg sodium bicarbonate infusion, and Foley’s catheter was inserted to follow urine output (UOP) strictly. However, she did not show a decrease in serum potassium levels. Then the patient underwent hemodialysis for two hours. Her first potassium reading after hemodialysis was 5.2 mmol/L. The purpose of this case report is to emphasize the importance of hemodialysis in patients with persistent severe life-threatening hyperkalemia.

Hyperkalemia Among Hospitalized Patients and Association Between Duration of Hyperkalemia and Outcomes

Background Hyperkalemia is a serious life-threatening condition that leads to significant morbidity and mortality. Objectives The aim of this study is to investigate the association between the duration and outcomes in patients hospitalized with hyperkalemia, as well as associated risk factors and drug-induced hyperkalemia. Methods A three-year retrospective chart review study was conducted at a tertiary hospital at King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, between January 2016 and April 2019. We included all hospitalized adults and patients with hyperkalemia. Pediatric patients and dialysis patients with end-stage renal failure were excluded. Results Out of a total of 300 hospitalized patients who were screened for hyperkalemia, only 142 patients were included. The majority of cases were males (56.3%), whereas 43.7% were females. Most patients were above 55 years old. Regarding comorbidities in patients with hyperkalemia, most of them suffered from high blood pressure or diabetes. The mean serum potassium value was 5.7 ± 0.51 mEq. The most frequent medications used in the study population were azole antifungal medication followed by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, beta-blockers, and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Around 54 patients were not treated with medication and were monitored for spontaneous correction of hyperkalemia. Insulin was the most used medication for the treatment of hyperkalemia. The mean duration for the resolution of hyperkalemia was 12 ±9.4 hours. Out of 142 patients, only 10 (7%) patients died with hyperkalemia. Conclusions Hospitalized patients are at risk of hyperkalemia. In our study, we found that patients who had hyperkalemia were significantly likely to have acute kidney injury or cardiovascular diseases, and azole antifungals and beta-blockers were the most commonly used medications.

Hypokalemia is frequent and has prognostic implications in stable patients attending the emergency department

BACKGROUND

Potassium disturbances are associated with adverse prognosis in patients with chronic conditions. Its prognostic implications in stable patients attending the emergency department (ED) is poorly described.

AIMS

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of dyskalemia, describe its predisposing factors and prognostic associations in a population presenting the ED without unstable medical illness.

METHODS

Post-hoc analysis of a prospective, cross-sectional, multicenter study in the ED of 11 French academic hospitals over a period of 8 weeks. All adults presenting to the ED during this period were included, except instances of self-drug poisoning, inability to complete self-medication questionnaire, presence of an unstable medical illness and decline to participate in the study. All-cause hospitalization or deaths were assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 1242 patients were included. The mean age was 57.2±22.3 years, 51% were female. The distribution according to potassium concentrations was: hypokalemia<4mmol/L(n = 620, 49.9%), normokalemia 4-5mmol/L(n = 549, 44.2%) and hyperkalemia >5mmol/L(n = 73, 0,6%). The proportion of patients with a kalemia<3.5mmol/L was 8% (n = 101). Renal insufficiency (OR [95% CI] = 3.56[1.94-6.52], p-value <0.001) and hemoglobin <12g/dl (OR [95% CI] = 2.62[1.50-4.60], p-value = 0.001) were associated with hyperkalemia. Female sex (OR [95% CI] = 1.31[1.03-1.66], p-value = 0.029), age <45years (OR [95% CI] = 1.69 [1.20-2.37], p-value = 0.002) and the use of thiazide diuretics (OR [95% CI] = 2.04 [1.28-3.32], p-value = 0.003), were associated with hypokalemia<4mmol/l. Two patients died in the ED and 629 (52.7%) were hospitalized. Hypokalemia <3.5mmol/L was independently associated with increased odds of hospitalization or death (OR [95% CI] = 1.47 [1.00-2.15], p-value = 0.048).

CONCLUSIONS

Hypokalemia is frequently found in the ED and was associated with worse outcomes in a low-risk ED population.

Emergency Potassium Normalization Treatment Including Sodium Zirconium Cyclosilicate: A Phase II, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study (ENERGIZE)

Objectives

Sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (SZC) is a novel, highly selective potassium binder currently approved in the United States and European Union for treatment of hyperkalemia. This pilot evaluation explored the efficacy of SZC with insulin and glucose as hyperkalemia treatment in the emergency department (ED).

Methods

This exploratory, phase II, multicenter, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study (NCT03337477) enrolled adult ED patients with blood potassium ≥ 5.8 mmol/L. Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive SZC 10 g or placebo, up to three times during a 10‐hour period, with insulin and glucose. The primary efficacy outcome was the mean change in serum potassium (sK⁺) from baseline until 4 hours after start of dosing.

Results

Overall, 70 patients were randomized (SZC n = 33, placebo n = 37), of whom 50.0% were male. Their mean (± standard deviation [±SD]) age was 59.0 (±13.8) years and mean initial sK⁺ was similar between groups (SZC 6.4 mmol/L, placebo 6.5 mmol/L). The least squares mean (±SD) sK⁺ change from baseline to 4 hours was –0.41 (±0.11) mmol/L and –0.27 (±0.10) mmol/L with SZC and placebo, respectively (difference = –0.13 mmol/L, 95% confidence interval [CI] = –0.44 to 0.17). A greater reduction in mean (±SD) sK⁺ from baseline occurred with SZC compared with placebo at 2 hours: –0.72 (±0.12) versus –0.36 (±0.11) mmol/L (LSM difference = –0.35 mmol/L, 95% CI = –0.68 to –0.02), respectively. A numerically lower proportion of patients in the SZC group required additional potassium‐lowering therapy due to hyperkalemia at 0 to 4 hours versus placebo (15.6% vs. 30.6%, respectively; odds ratio = 0.40, 95% CI = 0.09 to 1.77). Comparable proportions of patients experienced adverse events in both treatment groups at 0 to 24 hours.

Conclusions

This pilot study suggested that SZC with insulin and glucose may provide an incremental benefit in the emergency treatment of hyperkalemia over insulin and glucose alone.