Table 3.
Main results for clinical hypokalaemia or hyperkalaemia management approaches (n = 500); open‐ended questions regarding chronic kidney disease or heart failure patients (in the absence of details regarding current medication)
| Potassium management | Hyperkalaemia | Hypokalaemia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Second blood test for confirmation *** | 282 (56.4%) | ||||
| Dietary measures****** | 23 (4.6%) | 15 (3.0%) | |||
| Clinical examination****** | 208 (41.6%) | 132 (26.4%) | |||
| CKD patients* | HF patients** | CKD patients* | HF patients** | ||
| Biological monitoring as the only intervention | 36 (7.2%) | 36 (7.2%) | 25 (5.0%) | 21 (4.2%) | |
| Aetiology search | 142 (28.4%) | 193 (38.6%) | 232 (46.4%) | 238 (47.6%) | |
| Potassium‐modifying drug reduction or discontinuation | 71 (14.2%) | 126 (25.2%) | 140 (28.0%) | 156 (31.2%) | |
| Add or increase SPS | 325 (65.0%) | 255 (51.0%) | Add or increase K + supplement | 334 (66.8%) | 368 (73.6%) |
| Add or increase loop diuretic | 7 (1.4%) | 49 (9.8%) | Add or increase MRAs | 7 (1.4%) | 20 (4.0%) |
| Seek advice from a cardiologist | 8 (1.6%) | 135 (27.0%) | 14 (2.8%) | 103 (20.6%) | |
| Seek advice from a nephrologist | 181 (36.2%) | 22 (4.4%) | 142 (28.4%) | 18 (3.6%) | |
| Referral to ED or hospitalization | 30 (6.0%) | 64 (12.8%) | 23 (4.6%) | 30 (6.0%) | |
CKD, chronic kidney disease; ED, emergency department; HF, heart failure; MRAs, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists; SPS, sodium polystyrene sulfonate.
Legend: Corresponding questions:
*
Question 2.1. In the presence of hyperkalaemia/hypokalaemia at levels defined from (Question 1.2 to Question 1.4) in a patient with CKD, what is your approach?
**
Question 2.2. And if this patient has HF, what is your approach?
***
Data extracted from open‐ended Questions 2.1 and 2.2 considered together.