Hyperkalemia pathophysiology

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S. [2]

Overview

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, ineffective elimination of potassium or 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 potentials of cells,so imbalance in potassium levels can lead to disruption of cell membrane potentials and can cause hyperexcitablity leading to fatal cardiac arrhythmias and effecting nervous system.

Pathophysiology

Potassium is essential for many body functions, especially excitable cells such as muscle and nerve cells. Diet, mostly meats and fruits, is the major source of potassium for the body. Potassium is the principal

Pathogenesis

  • The exact pathogenesis of [disease name] is not completely understood.

OR

  • It is understood that [disease name] is the result of / is mediated by / is produced by / is caused by either [hypothesis 1], [hypothesis 2], or [hypothesis 3].
  • [Pathogen name] is usually transmitted via the [transmission route] route to the human host.
  • Following transmission/ingestion, the [pathogen] uses the [entry site] to invade the [cell name] cell.
  • [Disease or malignancy name] arises from [cell name]s, which are [cell type] cells that are normally involved in [function of cells].
  • The progression to [disease name] usually involves the [molecular pathway].
  • The pathophysiology of [disease/malignancy] depends on the histological subtype.
  • Hyperkalemia develops when there is increase intake of potassium, excessive production as seen in tissue breakdown, or ineffective elimination of potassium. Ineffective elimination can be hormonal (in aldosterone deficiency) or due to abnormalities in the renal parenchyma.
  • Increased extracellular potassium levels result in alteration of the membrane potentials of cells. This depolarization opens some voltage-gated sodium channels, but not enough to generate an action potential. After a short while, the open sodium channels becomes inactivated and become refractory, increasing the threshold to generate an action potential. This leads to the impairment of neuromuscular, cardiac, and gastrointestinal organ systems. Increased extracellular potassium levels result in alteration of the membrane potentials of cells.
  • Patients with the rare hereditary condition of hyperkalemic periodic paralysis appear to have a heightened sensitivity of muscular symptoms that are associated with transient elevation of potassium levels. Episodes of muscle weakness and spasms can be precipitated by exercise or fasting in these subjects.

Pathophysiology

Physiology

The normal physiology of [name of process] can be understood as follows:

Pathogenesis

  • The exact pathogenesis of [disease name] is not completely understood.

OR

  • It is understood that [disease name] is the result of / is mediated by / is produced by / is caused by either [hypothesis 1], [hypothesis 2], or [hypothesis 3].
  • [Pathogen name] is usually transmitted via the [transmission route] route to the human host.
  • Following transmission/ingestion, the [pathogen] uses the [entry site] to invade the [cell name] cell.
  • [Disease or malignancy name] arises from [cell name]s, which are [cell type] cells that are normally involved in [function of cells].
  • The progression to [disease name] usually involves the [molecular pathway].
  • The pathophysiology of [disease/malignancy] depends on the histological subtype.
  • Hyperkalemia develops when there is increase intake of potassium, excessive production as seen in tissue breakdown, or ineffective elimination of potassium. Ineffective elimination can be hormonal (in aldosterone deficiency) or due to abnormalities in the renal parenchyma.
  • Increased extracellular potassium levels result in alteration of the membrane potentials of cells. This depolarization opens some voltage-gated sodium channels, but not enough to generate an action potential. After a short while, the open sodium channels becomes inactivated and become refractory, increasing the threshold to generate an action potential. This leads to the impairment of neuromuscular, cardiac, and gastrointestinal organ systems. Increased extracellular potassium levels result in alteration of the membrane potentials of cells.
  • Patients with the rare hereditary condition of hyperkalemic periodic paralysis appear to have a heightened sensitivity of muscular symptoms that are associated with transient elevation of potassium levels. Episodes of muscle weakness and spasms can be precipitated by exercise or fasting in these subjects.

References


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