Hyperkalemia Excursions Are Associated with an Increased Risk of Mortality and Hospitalizations in Hemodialysis Patients

Background: Hyperkalemia is common among hemodialysis (HD) patients and has been associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Previous studies considered a single serum potassium (K) measurement or time-averaged values, but serum K excursions out of the target range may be more reflective of true hyperkalemia events. We assessed whether hyperkalemia excursions lead to an elevated risk of adverse clinical outcomes.

Methods: Using data from 21 countries in Phases 4-6 (2009-18) of the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Patterns Study (DOPPS), we investigated the associations between peak serum K level, measured monthly predialysis, over a 4-month period ('peak K') and clinical outcomes over the subsequent 4 months using Cox regression, adjusted for potential confounders.

Results: The analysis included 62 070 patients contributing a median of 3 (interquartile range 2-6) 4-month periods. The prevalence of hyperkalemia based on peak K was 58% for >5.0, 30% for >5.5 and 12% for >6.0 mEq/L. The all-cause mortality hazard ratio for peak K (reference ≤5.0 mEq/L) was 1.15 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.09, 1.21] for 5.1-5.5 mEq/L, 1.19 (1.12, 1.26) for 5.6-6.0 mEq/L and 1.33 (1.23, 1.43) for >6.0 mEq/L. Results were qualitatively consistent when analyzing hospitalizations and a cardiovascular composite outcome.

Conclusions: Among HD patients, we identified a lower K threshold (peak K 5.1-5.5 mEq/L) than previously reported for increased risk of hospitalization and mortality, with the implication that a greater proportion (>50%) of the HD population may be at risk. A reassessment of hyperkalemia severity ranges is needed, as well as an exploration of new strategies for effective management of chronic hyperkalemia.