Management of acute hyperpotasemia in the perioperatory and Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Acute hyperkalemia occurs frequently in perioperative period. It’s defined as an elevation of serum potassium above 5-5.5 mmol / L, in the case of severe hyperkalemia that is above 6.5 mmol / L. Knowing multiple factors that can alter potassium homeostasis and lead to serious elevations helps us to minimize or avoid the possible complications associated with this entity. Treatment of hyperkalemia will include antagonizing the effect of elevated serum potassium, displacing potassium from the extracellular to the intracellular compartment, and removing potassium from the body. The purpose of this review is to review the pathophysiology of potassium management, emphasize main clinical manifestations, and provide a summary of main therapeutic tools.