Potassium is the most abundant intracellular cation and is critically important for many physiologic processes. The normal range of potassium in blood is 3.5-5.1mEq/L. Hyperkalemia develops when the level of potassium exceeds 5.5 mEq/L in blood which can be due to an increase in intake of potassium, excessive production as seen in tissue breakdown, transcellular shift of potassium, ineffective elimination of potassium or due to some drugs. The potassium levels in the body are highly regulated mainly by renal excretion. The gut excretes a minimal amount of dietary potassium (approximately 10%). Hyperkalemia is very common in patients with chronic kidney disease as potassium is not effectively excreted from the body. Potassium is involved in maintaining transmembrane potential of the cells, so imbalance in potassium levels can lead to disruption of cell membrane potentials and can cause hyperexcitablity leading to fatal cardiac arrhythmias and may affect the nervous system.
Hyperkalemia pathophysiology
Hypokalemia pathophysiology
Hyperkalemia risk factors
Hyperkalemia differential diagnosis
Hyponatremia pathophysiology
Hyperkalemia causes
Hypernatremia pathophysiology
Hypokalemia differential diagnosis