Hyperkalemia in a Chronic Hemodialysis Patient

Abstract

A 65‐vear‐old hemodial‐vsis patient has repeated problems presenting with hyperkalemia (serum potassium concentrations of 7–8 mEq/L befbre dial‐vsis; sometimes in association with symptoms of paraly‐ sis). Although she likes to eat a lot of fruit, she frequently denies excess ingestion preceding these episodes. Is dietary indiscretion the major cause of hyperkalemia in dialysis patients? What other causes should be considered? Is there a preferred way to dialyze these patients to remove more potassium safi1.v and prevent these dangerous episodes?