Pseudohyperkalemia in general practice. Diagnostic search in hyperkalemia

Abstract

Hyperkalemia could be a serious diagnostic challenge to general practitioners, since it could be a life-threatening condition. The causes of hyperkalemia are diverse. These include preanalytical errors, release of potassium resulting from cell lysis, potassium shifting between intra- and extracellular spaces, decreased renal excretion, administration of medications. Diagnostic search should start with history taking. Initial clinical and laboratory tests are usually scheduled by the general practitioner at the outpatient stage. In case of excluded pseudohyperkalemia and medication effects, when hyperkalemia cannot be explained by the existing patient’s disorders, the search for undiscovered kidney, endocrine or cardiovascular diseases should be carried out.

Keywords

• hyperkalemia
• potassium
• differential diagnosi