Intestinal Necrosis Associated with Orally Administered Calcium Polystyrene Sulfonate Without Sorbitol

Histopathological lesions of the gastrointestinal tract associated with the use of polystyrene sulfonate and sevelamer: a meta-analysis

Background

Gastrointestinal severe adverse events such as ulceration and perforation have been reported for sodium or calcium polystyrene sulfonate and sevelamer. Howewer, their role in the pathogenesis is unclear. Chronic kidney disease is a well known risk factor, while the role of hypertension and/or diabetes is uncertain.

Methods

A meta-analysis of the published literature was conducted to review the clinical features, risk factors and histopathological findings of patients who experienced gastrointestinal adverse events after administration of polystyrene sulfonate or sevelamer.

Results

The meta-analysis indicated that patients were more likely to show necrosis and/or perforation when the resin used was polystyrene sulfonate compared to sevelamer (p < 0.001). Death was more likely in patients taking polystyrene sulfonate compared to sevelamer (p < 0.001).

Discussion

The results show that sevelamer is more likely to lead to inflammation or ulceration in the gastrointestinal tract than polystyrene sulfonate, which is more likely to be associated with severe gastrointestinal adverse events such as necrosis and/or perforation. Polystyrene sulfonate is significantly associated with death compared to sevelamer.

Comprehensive analysis of sodium polystyrene sulfonate-induced colitis: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (SPS) is commonly prescribed for the management of hyperkalemia, a critical electrolyte imbalance contributing to over 800000 annual visits to emergency departments.

AIM

To conduct a systematic review of documented cases of SPS-induced colitis and assess its associated prognosis.

METHODS

Following the PRISMA-P guidelines, our study employed Medical Subject Headings and Health Sciences Descriptors, skillfully combined using Boolean operators, to conduct comprehensive searches across various electronic databases, including Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE (PubMed), BIREME (Biblioteca Regional de Medicina), LILACS (Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature), SciELO (Scientific Electronic Library Online), Embase, and Opengray.eu. Language criteria were confined to English, Spanish, and Portuguese, with no limitations on the publication date. Additionally, we manually scrutinized the reference lists of retrieved studies. To present our findings, we utilized simple descriptive analysis.

RESULTS

Our search strategy yielded a total of 442 references. After rigorous evaluation, we included 51 references, encompassing 59 documented cases of colitis. Predominant clinical presentations included abdominal pain, observed in 35 (60.3%) cases, and bloating, reported in 18 (31%) cases. The most frequently affected sites of inflammation were the cecum, rectum, and small intestine, accounting for 31%, 25.8%, and 22.4% of cases, respectively. Colonoscopy findings were described in 28 (48.2%) cases, and 29 (50%) of patients required surgical intervention. Among the subset of patients for whom outcome data was available, 39 (67.2%) experienced favorable outcomes, while 12 (20.6%) unfortunately succumbed to the condition. The mean time required for resolution was 36.7 d, with a range spanning from 1 to 120 d.

CONCLUSION

SPS demonstrates the capacity to effectively lower serum potassium levels within 24 h. However, this benefit is not without the risk of bowel injury. Our study highlights the absence of high-quality data pertaining to the incidence of adverse events associated with SPS usage, making it challenging to determine whether the potential risks outweigh the benefits. However, a significant mortality rate related to SPS-induced colitis was noted. Future investigations should prioritize randomized controlled trials with a sufficiently large patient cohort to ascertain the true utility and safety profile of this medication.

Managing Hyperkalemia in the Modern Era: A Case-Based Approach

The last decade has seen tremendous advances in the prevention and treatment of recurrent hyperkalemia. In this narrative review, we aim to highlight contemporary data on key areas in the epidemiology and management of hyperkalemia. Focusing on drug-induced hyperkalemia (the implications of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors [RAASi] discontinuation and the role of mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists), newer concurrent therapies that modify potassium handling (sodium-glucose transporter 2 inhibitors [SGLT2i]), the introduction of new treatment agents (oral potassium binding agents), and the controversial role of dietary potassium restriction, we apply recent research findings and review the evidence in a case-based format.

Calcium polystyrene sulfonate associated colonic mucosal injury-innocent bystander or pathogenic culprit?: a case report and literature review

Colonic mucosal injury is rare, but may severely fatal, complications following the administration of calcium polystyrene sulfonate resins. The incidence rate is about 0.57%, administered without sorbitol, and increases to 1.8% when it is concomitant with sorbitol, especially in postoperative patients. In this case report, we demonstrated the case of a 77-year-old female with stage 3b chronic kidney disease presented with in-hospital hematochezia after 3 weeks of calcium polystyrene sulfonate administration. The colonoscopic findings showed several serpiginous ulcers with some oozing at descending and sigmoid colon. The histological findings revealed some focal inflammation and ulcerations with crystal-like materials, compatible with cation exchange resins. The recent in vitro study, explaining the pathogenesis of cation exchange resin-associated colonic mucosal injury, was also reviewed.

Adverse Gastrointestinal Effects with Kayexalate or Kalimate: A Comprehensive Review

BACKGROUND

Patients with hyperkalemia are commonly treated with Kayexalate or Kalimate. Both drugs are associated with some fatal gastrointestinal (GI) adverse events (AEs).

AIM

To assess the clinical characteristics and outcomes of GI AEs induced by Kayexalate or Kalimate from published case reports.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review of case reports of Kayexalate or Kalimate-induced GI AEs, from PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library, Clinical Key, and Google Scholar databases (1948 to March 31, 2020). We analyzed the clinical characteristics, GI AEs, and risk factors of enrolled patients.

RESULTS

We identified 41 published articles describing 135 cases of GI AEs induced by Kayexalate (103 cases) or Kalimate (32 cases). The mean age of all patients was 55.5 years. Most patients were male (54.8%). As high as 55.6% preparations were administered with sorbitol whereas 44.4% preparations had no sorbitol. The average time causing GI AEs was 19.8 days. Colon was the most commonly affected site (76.3%). Drug crystals were histopathologically proven in 95.5% of the patients. Meanwhile, mortality was reported in 20.7%.

CONCLUSION

Kayexalate or Kalimate, without or with sorbitol combination, may be related to fatal GI damage. Uremia, hypertension, and transplantation are predisposing factors. Clinicians should be careful in prescribing Kayexalate or Kalimate to patients.

Mineralocorticoid Antagonism and Diabetic Kidney Disease

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with an increased risk of diabetic kidney disease (DKD), cardiovascular disease, and heart failure, in part through activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). Although recent cardiovascular outcome trials have identified newer therapeutic agents such as sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT-2) inhibitors and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)-receptor agonists that reduce the risk of these complications, patients still exhibit residual cardiorenal morbidity and mortality. Accordingly, the identification of pharmacological agents that attenuate micro- and macrovascular complications related to T2D is a major priority. Our aim was to review evidence for the role of novel mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) that are being developed as adjunctive therapies to reduce the risk of DKD and cardiovascular disease in the setting of T2D.

RECENT FINDINGS

Dual RAAS blockade with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor plus angiotensin receptor blockade (ARB) or ARB plus renin inhibition increases serious adverse events such as acute kidney injury and stroke. Due to the potential for these serious side effects, more recent interest has focused on newer, more selective non-steroidal MRAs such as finerenone as cardiorenal protective therapies. Finerenone reduces albuminuria in the setting of DKD in patients with T2D and has a lower risk of hyperkalemia compared to currently available MRAs. Novel MRAs such as finerenone have the potential to reduce the risk of DKD progression in patients with T2D. The impact of finerenone on hard, long-term cardiorenal endpoints is being examined in the FIGARO and FIDELIO trials in patients with DKD.

The Successful Treatment of Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate-induced Enteritis Diagnosed by Small Bowel Endoscopy

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (SPS: Kayexalate^®) is an ion-exchange resin used to treat hyperkalemia in patients with chronic kidney disease. It is known that this resin sometimes causes colonic necrosis and perforation, but there are few reports about small bowel necrosis associated with SPS. We herein report the case of a patient who developed SPS-induced small bowel necrosis, which was diagnosed based on the examination of a small bowel endoscopic biopsy specimen. The SPS-induced small bowel necrosis was resistant to conservative treatment including the cessation of SPS, and finally required surgical bowel resection.

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate induced intestinal necrosis; a case report

Background

Hyperkalemia is a commonly encountered medical problem. The treatment of hyperkalemia involves the use of pharmacological agents with different mechanism of actions. Sodium Polystyrene sulfonate (SPS) is a cation-exchange resin that exchanges sodium for potassium. In 2009, the United States Food and Drug Administration issued warning against the use of SPS with sorbitol due to risk of colonic necrosis. We present a case of SPS induced colonic necrosis in the absence of sorbitol and risk factors deemed to increase risk of colonic necrosis.

Case report

Here we report a 64-year old male with past medical history of kidney stones who was admitted for treatment of colitis which was complicated by septic shock requiring vasopressors. His course was further complicated by hyperkalemia attributed to acute kidney injury. One dose 30 gm of SPS was administered which normalized his serum potassium. The patient’s course was complicated by duodenal ulcer, and colonic perforation. The initial pathology findings of the resected specimen were suggestive of inflammatory bowel disease which resulted in starting patient on mesalamine. The patient then developed fistula which was resected and sent for pathology. SPS induced colonic necrosis was made based on the pathology findings.

Conclusion

SPS is commonly used to decrease potassium levels. SPS has been reported to be associated with several gastrointestinal complications. FDA issued warning against the use of SPS in patients at risk for complications. Here we report a case with SPS induced colonic necrosis in the absence of risk factors reported in the literature.

Hepatic portal venous gas due to polystyrene sulfonate-induced enteritis

A 78-year-old man with acute right lower abdominal pain and nausea was referred to our hospital. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated hepatic portal venous gas and a thickened wall of the terminal ileum, and colonoscopy demonstrated ulcers and erosions of the ileocecal region. Histological examination of biopsy samples revealed basophilic crystals consistent with the component of calcium polystyrene sulfonate (CPS). This patient started taking CPS 2 months prior for chronic hyperkalemia. The symptoms resolved soon after ceasing CPS, and subsequent imaging studies confirmed the disappearance of the portal venous gas and ileocolitis.

Treatment of Hyperkalemia in Heart Failure

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim of this paper is to discuss strategies for prevention and management of hyperkalemia in patients with heart failure, including the role of novel therapies.

RECENT FINDINGS

Renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) antagonists, including angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB), and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA) decrease mortality and morbidity in heart failure but increase the risk of hyperkalemia, especially when used in combination. Prevention of hyperkalemia and its associated complications requires careful patient selection, counseling regarding dietary potassium intake, awareness of drug interactions, and regular laboratory surveillance. Recent data suggests that the risk of hyperkalemia may be further moderated through the use of combined angiotensin-neprilysin inhibitors, novel MRAs, and novel potassium binding agents. Clinicians should be mindful of the risk of hyperkalemia when prescribing RAAS inhibitors to patients with heart failure. In patients at highest risk, such as those with diabetes, the elderly, and advanced chronic kidney disease, more intensive laboratory surveillance of potassium and creatinine may be required. Novel therapies hold promise for reducing the risk of hyperkalemia and enhancing the tolerability of RAAS antagonists.

Long-term efficacy of oral calcium polystyrene sulfonate for hyperkalemia in CKD patients

Background

Calcium polystyrene sulfonate (CPS) has long been used to treat hyperkalemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). However, its efficacy and safety profile have not been systematically explored. We investigated the long-term efficacy of oral CPS for treating mild hyperkalemia on an outpatient basis.

Methods

We performed a retrospective analysis of ambulatory CKD patients who were prescribed CPS for > 1 week because of elevated serum potassium levels > 5.0 mmol/L. Patients were divided into four groups according to the length of time that they took a fixed dosage of CPS (Group 1, < 3 months; Group 2, 3–6 months; Group 3, 6–12 months; and Group 4, > 1 year). Response was defined as a decrease in the serum potassium level (> 0.3 mmol/L) after treatment with CPS.

Results

We enrolled a total of 247 adult patients with a basal eGFR level of 30 ± 15 mL/min/1.73 m². All patients took small doses of CPS (8.0 ± 3.6 g/d), and serum potassium decreased in a dose-dependent fashion. Serum potassium of all patients decreased significantly from 5.8 ± 0.3 mmol/L to 4.9 ± 0.7 mmol/L with CPS treatment (P < 0.001). The response rates were 79.9%, 71.4%, 66.7%, and 86.8% in Groups 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. No serious adverse effects were reported during CPS administration, though constipation was noted in 19 patients (8%).

Conclusion

Small doses of oral CPS are effective and safe for controlling mild hyperkalemia in CKD patients over a long period of time.

Total colectomy for colon perforation after kayexalate administration: a case report and literature review of a rare complication

Kayexalate is an ion exchange resin that is commonly used to acutely treat patients with hyperkalemia. Bowel ulceration and necrosis is a rare and uncommonly recognized complication of kayexalate administration. More often, concomitant administration with sorbitol is reported to damage the bowel; however, there are reports of kayexalate administration causing bowel necrosis without sorbitol. We present a case of a critically ill patient who underwent total colectomy for colonic necrosis secondary to oral kayexalate administration that was not recognized until late in the pathologic process. We also review the literature to further investigate this progression.

Gastrointestinal decontamination in the acutely poisoned patient

Objective

To define the role of gastrointestinal (GI) decontamination of the poisoned patient.

Data Sources

A computer-based PubMed/MEDLINE search of the literature on GI decontamination in the poisoned patient with cross referencing of sources.

Study Selection and Data Extraction

Clinical, animal and in vitro studies were reviewed for clinical relevance to GI decontamination of the poisoned patient.

Data Synthesis

The literature suggests that previously, widely used, aggressive approaches including the use of ipecac syrup, gastric lavage, and cathartics are now rarely recommended. Whole bowel irrigation is still often recommended for slow-release drugs, metals, and patients who "pack" or "stuff" foreign bodies filled with drugs of abuse, but with little quality data to support it. Activated charcoal (AC), single or multiple doses, was also a previous mainstay of GI decontamination, but the utility of AC is now recognized to be limited and more time dependent than previously practiced. These recommendations have resulted in several treatment guidelines that are mostly based on retrospective analysis, animal studies or small case series, and rarely based on randomized clinical trials.

Conclusions

The current literature supports limited use of GI decontamination of the poisoned patient.