Dispensed Selective and Nonselective Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs and the Risk of Moderate to Severe Hyperkalemia: A Nested Case-Control Study

The role of cation-exchange resins in hyperkalemia management

Hyperkalemia, characterized by elevated serum potassium levels, poses significant health risks, including life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. The management of hyperkalemia has evolved, incorporating calcium polystyrene sulfonate (CPS) and newer agents such as sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (SZC) and patiromer alongside traditional treatments. This review provides a comprehensive examination of current management strategies for hyperkalemia, focusing on the comparative effectiveness, safety profiles, and patient preferences concerning CPS, SZC, and patiromer. Through an analysis of clinical trials, safety data, and guidelines, we highlight SZC's rapid action and favorable safety profile compared to CPS, which has been a standard treatment option for years. Additionally, the review explores patiromer, other emerging treatments, and future directions in hyperkalemia management, including the potential benefits of combination therapies and the role of personalized medicine. The findings suggest a shift toward newer potassium-binding agents in clinical practice, underscored by the need for individualized treatment approaches based on patient-specific factors. This article aims to guide clinicians in optimizing hyperkalemia management, ensuring effective, safe, and patient-centered care.

Population kinetic-pharmacodynamic analysis of serum potassium in patients receiving sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim

Since trimethoprim (TMP) dose-dependently inhibits the excretion of potassium, a population kinetic-pharmacodynamic analysis was performed to establish an adequate dosing schedule and characterize factors of hyperkalaemia. Dataset was constructed using a retrospective observational cohort of hospitalized patients (>18 years) with oral sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim formulation. The model integrated a kinetic model for TMP, a urinary TMP concentration-response curve, and a kinetic model for serum potassium using an indirect response model. The model was a function of body weight, renal function, serum potassium levels, and TMP dosing schedule. We evaluated covariates by the stepwise forward and backward selection methods. The Monte Carlo simulation determined the probability of hyperkalaemia (>5.5 meq/L or >6.0 meq/L) according to the dosing schedule, renal function, and covariates. This study included 317 patients (age 62 [42-72] years) with 4359 serum potassium levels. The significant covariate was non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), with a 72.3% reduction in 50% inhibitory concentration. Monte Carlo simulation revealed that high-dose TMP (400 mg thrice daily) co-administered with NSAIDs led to mild hyperkalaemia (>10%) and severe hyperkalaemia (approximately 5%), regardless of renal function. In conclusion, clinicians should pay attention to hyperkalaemia with TMP high-dose and co-administered NSAIDs.

Acute kidney injury associated with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are ones of the commonly prescribed drugs worldwide. They primarily inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX) enzyme which is responsible for conversion of phospholipids to various prostaglandins (PGs). Disruption in PGs production affects the kidneys in several ways, including vasoconstriction that may result in ischemic acute kidney injury (AKI) in at-risk patients. They also impair salt and water excretion, leading to edema and hypertension. Other complications include hyperkalemia, hyponatremia, nephrotic syndrome, acute interstitial nephritis and chronic kidney disease progression. AKI from NSAIDs is usually reversible with favorable prognosis after discontinuation of NSAIDs. Avoidance of NSAIDs exposure is extremely important, especially among high-risk patients.

Clinical and electrocardiogram presentations of patients with high serum potassium concentrations within emergency settings: a prospective study

BACKGROUND

Elevated potassium level is a common and reversible peri-arrest condition. Diagnosis and management of hyperkalemia in a short time is critical, where electrocardiogram (ECG) alterations might be helpful. We aimed to investigate the role of clinical features and ECGs in early diagnosing and treating hyperkalemia.

METHODS

Prospectively, adult patients who presented to the emergency department (ED) from July 2019 to March 2020 with hyperkalemia (serum potassium ≥5.5mmol/L) were included. History was obtained, and laboratory investigations and ECGs were performed at the presentation and before initiating hyperkalemia therapy. Hyperkalemia severity was divided into mild (5.5-5.9mmol/L), moderate (6.0-6.4mmol/L), and severe (≥6.5mmol/L). A cardiologist and emergency physician blinded to laboratory values, study design, and patients' diagnoses interpreted ECGs and presenting symptoms independently to predict hyperkalemia.

RESULTS

Sixty-seven hyperkalemic patients with a mean (±SD) serum potassium level of 6.5±0.7mmol/L were included in this study. The mean age was 63.9±15.1, and 58.2% were females. Hyperkalemia was mild in 10.4%, moderate in 40.3%, and severe in 49.3%. Almost two thirds of patients (71.6%) had hypertension, 67.2% diabetes, and 64.2% chronic kidney disease. About one-quarter of patients (22.4%) were asymptomatic, while fatigue (46.3%), dyspnea (28.4%), and nausea/vomiting (20.9%) were the most common presenting symptoms. Normal ECGs were observed in 25.4% of patients, while alterations in 74.6%. Atrial fibrillation (13.4%), peaked T wave (11.9%), widened QRS (11.9%), prolonged PR interval (10.5%), and flattening P wave (10.5%) were the most common. Peaked T wave was significantly more common in severe hyperkalemia (87.5%) than in mild and moderate hyperkalemia (12.5%, 0.0%, respectively) (p=0.041). The physicians' sensitivities for predicting hyperkalemia were 35.8% and 28.4%, improved to 51.5% and 42.4%, respectively, when limiting the analyses to severe hyperkalemia. The mean (±SD) time to initial hyperkalemia treatment was 63.8±31.5 min. Potassium levels were positively correlated with PR interval (r=0.283, p=0.038), QRS duration (r=0.361, p=0.003), peaked T wave (r=0.242, p=0.041), and serum levels of creatinine (r=0.347, p=0.004), BUN (r=0.312, p=0.008), and CK (r=0.373, p=0.039).

CONCLUSIONS

The physicians' abilities to predict hyperkalemia based on ECG and symptoms were poor. ECG could not be solely relied on, and serum potassium tests should be conducted for accurate diagnosis.

Association Between Long-Term Use of Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs and Hyperkalemia in Diabetic Patients

Introduction

The association between continuous use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and hyperkalemia is not consistent in the literature and creates grounds for further large-scale trials, particularly in patients with a chronic disease that affects renal function, such as diabetes mellitus (DM). In this study, we will compare mean serum potassium level and the prevalence of hyperkalemia in diabetic and non-diabetic patients based on their use of NSAIDs.

Methods

This case-control study was conducted in the internal medicine unit of a tertiary care hospital from May 2019 to December 2020. After taking informed consent, 700 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of type 2 DM, of either gender, were enrolled in the study via consecutive convenient non-probability technique. Another set of 700 participants from the public were enrolled as the reference or control group. Continuous NSAID use was defined as NSAID used for a minimum of 20 days in the last 30 days. Blood was drawn via phlebotomy and sent to the laboratory to test for potassium level.

Results

Serum potassium level was significantly higher in diabetic patients with continuous NSAID use compared to the diabetic patients without continuous use (4.8 ± 0.8 mmol/L vs. 4.5 ± 0.7 mmol/L; p-value: 0.0001). Additionally, serum potassium level was significantly higher in non-diabetic patients with continuous NSAID use compared to non-diabetic patients without continuous use (4.3 ± 0.7 mmol/L vs. 3.9 ± 0.5 mmol/L; p-value: 0.0001) 

Conclusion

In this study, the patients with continuous use of NSAIDs had higher levels of serum potassium level compared to patients without continuous use of NSAIDs. This difference was even higher in diabetic patients.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in end-stage kidney disease: dangerous or underutilized?

Introduction: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a popular class of analgesic and anti-inflammatory medications, but their use is often avoided in end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients due to their reputation for nephrotoxic side effects. This removes a useful agent from the analgesic arsenal, even as ESKD patients suffer from proportionally more severe chronic pain than the general population as well as from a large reliance on opioid medications. Areas Covered: This paper reviews the current literature to comprehensively define the pharmacologic mechanisms and adverse effects of NSAIDs and reassesses the viability of their use in ESKD patients. Expert opinion: The evidence directly examining the impact of NSAIDs on long-term outcomes in ESKD is limited. Further study quantifying the risk of NSAID use - especially in dialysis-dependent patients - is warranted. Given the difficulty in achieving adequate pain control in ESKD patients, limited use of NSAIDs in these patients may yet be justified.

NSAIDs in CKD: Are They Safe?

The management of pain in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is challenging for many reasons. These patients have increased susceptibility to adverse drug effects due to altered drug metabolism and excretion, and there are limited safety data for use in this population despite a high pain burden. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have long been regarded as dangerous for use in patients with CKD because of their risk for nephrotoxicity and thus alternative classes of analgesics, including opioids, have become more commonly used for pain control in this population. Given the well-established risks that opioids and other analgesics pose, further characterization of the risk posed by NSAIDs in patients with CKD is warranted. NSAID use has been associated with acute kidney injury, progressive loss of glomerular filtration rate in CKD, electrolyte derangements, and hypervolemia with worsening of heart failure and hypertension. The risk for these nephrotoxicity syndromes is modified by many comorbid conditions, risk factors, and characteristics of use, and in patients with CKD, the risk differs between levels of glomerular filtration rate. In this review, we offer recommendations for the cautious use of NSAIDs in the CKD population after careful consideration of these risk factors on an individualized basis.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use and risk of acute kidney injury and hyperkalemia in older adults: a population-based study

BACKGROUND

Clinical guidelines caution against nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use in older adults. The study objective was to quantify the 30-day risk of acute kidney injury (AKI) and hyperkalemia in older adults after NSAID initiation and to develop a model to predict these outcomes.

METHODS

We conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study in Ontario, Canada from 2007 to 2015 of patients ≥66 years. We matched 46 107 new NSAID users with 46 107 nonusers with similar baseline health. The primary outcome was 30-day risk of AKI and secondary outcomes were hyperkalemia and all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

NSAID use versus nonuse was associated with a higher 30-day risk of AKI {380 [0.82%] versus 272 [0.59%]; odds ratio (OR) 1.41 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.20-1.65]} and hyperkalemia [184 (0.40%) versus 123 (0.27%); OR 1.50 (95% CI 1.20-1.89); risk difference 0.23% (95% CI 0.13-0.34)]. There was no association between NSAID use and all-cause mortality. A prediction model incorporated six predictors of AKI or hyperkalemia: older age, male gender, lower baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate, higher baseline serum potassium, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor or angiotensin receptor blocker use or diuretic use. This model had moderate discrimination [C-statistic 0.72 (95% CI 0.70-0.74)] and good calibration.

CONCLUSIONS

In older adults, new NSAID use compared with nonuse was associated with a higher 30-day risk of AKI and hyperkalemia but not all-cause mortality. Prescription NSAID use among many older adults may be safe, but providers should use caution and assess individual risk.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug effects on renal and cardiovascular function: from physiology to clinical practice

Excessive or inappropriate use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can affect cardiovascular and renal function. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, both non-selective and selective cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitors, are among the most widely used drugs, especially in the elderly, with multiple comorbidities. Exposition to a polypharmacy burden represents a favourable substrate for the onset of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-induced deleterious effects. Cardiovascular and renal issues concerning the occurrence of myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, heart failure and arterial hypertension, as well as acute or chronic kidney damage, become critical for clinicians in their daily practice. We discuss current available knowledge regarding prostanoid physiology in vascular, cardiac and renal systems, pointing out potential negative non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-related issues in clinical practice.

Incidence of and risk factors for newly diagnosed hyperkalemia after hospital discharge in non-dialysis-dependent CKD patients treated with RAS inhibitors

INTRODUCTION

Renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors have been increasingly prescribed due to their beneficial effects on end-organ protection. Iatrogenic hyperkalemia is a well-known life-threatening complication of RAS inhibitor use in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. We hypothesized that CKD patients treated with RAS inhibitors frequently develop hyperkalemia after hospital discharge even if they were normokalemic during their hospitalization because their lifestyles change substantially after discharge. The present study aimed to examine the incidence of newly diagnosed hyperkalemia, the timing of hyperkalemia, and its risk factors in CKD patients treated with RAS inhibitors at the time of hospital discharge.

METHODS

We retrospectively enrolled patients aged 20 years or older with CKD G3-5 (estimated glomerular filtration rate < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2) and who were treated with RAS inhibitors and discharged from St. Luke's International Hospital between July 2011 and December 2015. Patients who were under maintenance dialysis or had hyperkalemic events before discharge were excluded. Data regarding the patients' age, sex, CKD stage, diabetes mellitus status, malignancy status, combined use of RAS inhibitors, concurrent medication, and hyperkalemic events after discharge were extracted from the hospital database. Our primary outcome was hyperkalemia, defined as serum potassium ≥ 5.5 mEq/L. Multiple logistic regression and Kaplan-Meier analyses were performed to identify the risk factors for and the timing of hyperkalemia, respectively.

RESULTS

Among the 986 patients, 121 (12.3%) developed hyperkalemia after discharge. In the regression analysis, relative to CKD G3a, G3b [odds ratio (OR): 1.88, 95% confidence interval 1.20-2.97] and G4-5 (OR: 3.40, 1.99-5.81) were significantly associated with hyperkalemia. The use of RAS inhibitor combinations (OR: 1.92, 1.19-3.10), malignancy status (OR: 2.10, 1.14-3.86), and baseline serum potassium (OR: 1.91, 1.23-2.97) were also significantly associated with hyperkalemia. The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that hyperkalemia was most frequent during the early period after discharge, particularly within one month.

CONCLUSION

Hyperkalemia was frequent during the early period after discharge among previously normokalemic CKD patients who were treated with RAS inhibitors. Appropriate follow-up after discharge should be required for these patients, particularly those with advanced CKD or malignancy status, such as hematological malignancy or late-stage malignancy, and those who are treated with multiple RAS inhibitors.

Effects of a 24-h naproxen dose on hydration and electrolyte measures during moderate-intensity cycling in the heat

Few controlled laboratory studies have examined the negative effects non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can have on fluid–electrolyte balance during exercise. Our objective was to determine whether a 24-h naproxen dose negatively affected hydration and electrolyte measures before, during, and 3 h after 90 min of cycling in a hot or ambient environment. Using a double blind, randomized and counterbalanced cross-over design, 11 volunteers (six male, five female) completed four trials, with conditions as follows: (1) placebo and ambient, (2) placebo and heat, (3) naproxen and ambient, and (4) naproxen and heat. We found no statistically significant differences among experimental conditions for any dependent measures. Though not statistically significant, mean fluid volume was higher and urine volume was lower during naproxen trials compared with placebos. Mean aggregate plasma sodium was <135 mmol/L at all time points and did not significantly change over time. Overall plasma potassium significantly increased pre- (3.9 ± 0.4) to post-exercise (4.2 ± 0.4 mmol/L, p = 0.02). In conclusion, an acute naproxen dose did not significantly alter hydration–electrolyte balance. The trend for naproxen to increase fluid volume and decrease urine volume suggests the start of fluid retention, which should concern individuals at risk for hyponatremia or with pre-existing cardiovascular conditions.

How Dangerous Is Hyperkalemia?

Hyperkalemia is a potentially life-threatening electrolyte disorder appreciated with greater frequency in patients with renal disease, heart failure, and with use of certain medications such as renin angiotensin aldosterone inhibitors. The traditional views that hyperkalemia can be reliably diagnosed by electrocardiogram and that particular levels of hyperkalemia confer cardiotoxic risk have been challenged by several reports of patients with atypic presentations. Epidemiologic data demonstrate strong associations of morbidity and mortality in patients with hyperkalemia but these associations appear disconnected in certain patient populations and in differing clinical presentations. Physiologic adaptation, structural cardiac disease, medication use, and degree of concurrent illness might predispose certain patients presenting with hyperkalemia to a lower or higher threshold for toxicity. These factors are often overlooked; yet data suggest that the clinical context in which hyperkalemia develops is at least as important as the degree of hyperkalemia is in determining patient outcome. This review summarizes the clinical data linking hyperkalemia with poor outcomes and discusses how the efficacy of certain treatments might depend on the clinical presentation.

Increased Risk of End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) Requiring Chronic Dialysis is Associated With Use of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Nationwide Case-Crossover Study

It is known that many medical adverse events can be caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs); however, epidemiologic evidence has not granted an affirmative relationship between NSAID use and the risk of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). We aimed to investigate the relationship in a Chinese population between short-term NSAID use and development of ESRD requiring chronic dialysis. A retrospective case-crossover design was used in this study. Using the Taiwanese National Health Insurance database, we identified 109,400 incident chronic ESRD patients with dialysis initiation from 1998 to 2009. For each patient, we defined the case period as 1 to 14 days and the control period as 105 to 118 days, respectively, before the first dialysis date. The washout period was 90 days between the case and control period. Detailed information about NSAID use was compared between the case and control periods. We calculated odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using a conditional logistic regression model. NSAID use was found to be a significant risk factor associated with dialysis commencement. The adjusted OR was 2.73 (95% CI: 2.62-2.84) for nonselective NSAIDs and 2.17 (95% CI: 1.83-2.57) for celecoxib. The OR reached 3.05 for the use of acetic acid derivatives. Compared with the oral forms, significantly higher risks were seen in parenteral NSAID use (OR: 8.66, 95% CI: 6.12-20.19). NSAIDs should be prescribed with caution, especially for those in ESRD high-risk groups.

Postoperative hyperkalemia

Hyperkalemia occurs frequently in hospitalized patients and is of particular concern for those who have undergone surgery, with postoperative care provided by clinicians of many disciplines. This review describes the normal physiology and how multiple perioperative factors can disrupt potassium homeostasis and lead to severe elevations in plasma potassium concentration. The pathophysiologic basis of diverse causes of hyperkalemia was used to broadly classify etiologies into those with altered potassium distribution (e.g. increased potassium release from cells or other transcellular shifts), reduced urinary excretion (e.g. reduced sodium delivery, volume depletion, and hypoaldosteronism), or an exogenous potassium load (e.g. blood transfusions). Surgical conditions of particular concern involve: rhabdomyolysis from malpositioning, trauma or medications; bariatric surgery; vascular procedures with tissue ischemia; acidosis; hypovolemia; and volume or blood product resuscitation. Certain acute conditions and chronic co-morbidities present particular risk. These include chronic kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, many outpatient preoperative medications (e.g. beta blockers, salt substitutes), and inpatient agents (e.g. succinylcholine, hyperosmolar volume expanders). Clinicians need to be aware of these pathophysiologic mechanisms for developing perioperative hyperkalemia as many of the risks can be minimized or avoided.

Risk factors for hyperkalaemia in a cohort of patients with newly diagnosed heart failure: a nested case-control study in UK general practice

AIMS

The aim of this study was to identify risk factors for hyperkalaemia in a cohort of patients with newly diagnosed heart failure in the UK.

METHODS AND RESULTS

A nested case-control study was conducted using data from The Health Improvement Network primary care database. A cohort of 19 194 patients aged 1-89 years between January 2000 and December 2005 with newly diagnosed heart failure was followed up and cases of hyperkalaemia identified. Cases were frequency matched to controls by age, sex, and calendar year, and information on demographics, co-morbidities, co-medications, and lifestyle factors was extracted from the database. Using unconditional logistic regression models, odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to identify potential risk factors. In total, 2176 hyperkalaemia cases were identified over a mean follow-up of 3.9 years. Significant risk factors for hyperkalaemia were: renal failure (OR 3.81; 95% CI 3.29-4.42), type II diabetes (OR 1.52; 95% CI 1.31-1.75), valvular heart disease (OR 1.28; 95% CI 1.06-1.54), and current use of potassium-sparing diuretics (OR 3.01; 95% CI 2.61-3.48), ACE inhibitors (OR 1.70; 95% CI 1.41-2.04), trimethoprim (OR 2.82; 95% CI 1.88-4.23), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (OR 1.41; 95% CI 1.11-1.79), and several drug combinations. The risk was highest within the first month of medication use and decreased thereafter.

CONCLUSION

Our findings may help to better identify patients with heart failure most likely to benefit from careful monitoring of serum potassium levels. Particular vigilance is needed during the start of treatment with certain medications.

The effect of COX-2-selective meloxicam on the myocardial, vascular and renal risks: a systematic review

PURPOSE

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are known to increase the risk of cardiovascular (CV) and renal incidences, especially at higher doses and upon long term use. However, the available reports are criticized for lack of specificity, grouping of vastly different outcomes together and ignoring the heterogeneity among NSAIDs. In this systematic review, we are reporting CV/renal risks associated with meloxicam, stratified into myocardial, vascular, renal risk categories, to address the differential nature of NSAIDs effects on different body systems. We are also reporting composite CV/renal risk to present overall risk associated with various covariates.

METHODS

We searched the online healthcare databases for observational studies or randomized controlled trials, reporting myocardial or all-cause mortality outcome (>90 days exposure) and/or vascular/renal outcomes (any exposure) after meloxicam use, published until April 2014. The combined odd ratio values (OR'; 95% CI) were calculated using the random effect inverse variance model.

RESULTS

We found 19 eligible studies out of 2,422 reports. Meloxicam demonstrated a low increase in composite risk (OR' 1.14; CI 1.04-1.25) which was mainly vascular in nature (OR' 1.35; CI 1.18-1.55] as it did not elevate myocardial (OR' 1.13; CI 0.98-1.32) or renal (OR', 0.99; CI 0.72-1.35) risks. Relative to meloxicam, other NSAIDs increased the composite risk, in a dose-dependent fashion, in the following order: rofecoxib > indomethacin > diclofenac > celecoxib > naproxen > ibuprofen. OR' was also influenced by type of disease and the comparator used, and acetylsalicylic acid.

CONCLUSION

NSAIDs are heterogeneous in increasing CV/renal risks. The low increased risk associated with meloxicam is mainly vascular in origin.

Prolonged zona glomerulosa insufficiency causing hyperkalemia in primary aldosteronism after adrenalectomy

CONTEXT

Unilateral adrenalectomy is the therapy of choice in aldosterone-producing adenoma (APA). Zona glomerulosa (ZG) insufficiency causing hyperkalemia after adrenalectomy has been described in case reports.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to analyze the clinical relevance of ZG insufficiency causing hyperkalemia after adrenalectomy in a large series of patients with APA.

DESIGN

This was a retrospective chart review.

SETTING

The study was conducted at two tertiary university referral centers in Germany.

PATIENTS

Data from 110 patients with confirmed APA adrenalectomized at the centers in Munich and Berlin between 2004 and 2012 were analyzed.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was the incidence of ZG insufficiency causing hyperkalemia after adrenalectomy; the secondary outcome was the identification of risk factors predisposing for hyperkalemia.

RESULTS

Eighteen of 110 patients (16%) developed postoperative hyperkalemia. The majority of these patients (n = 14) had undetectable plasma aldosterone levels after adrenalectomy; four had low aldosterone levels. In 12 of these patients, hyperkalemia was documented only once and resumed spontaneously. Prolonged hypoaldosteronism accompanied by hyperkalemia was observed in six patients (5% of total cohort). These patients needed continuous mineralocorticoid replacement therapy for 11-46 months. Mineralocorticoid antagonist treatment for 4 wk prior to surgery did not prevent hyperkalemia. In multivariate analysis, preoperatively decreased glomerular filtration rate and increased serum creatinine as well as increased postoperative creatinine and microalbuminuria remained significant predictors of hyperkalemia.

CONCLUSION

Persistent postoperative hypoaldosteronism with hyperkalemia occurs in 5% of adrenalectomized PA patients through prolonged ZG insufficiency, requiring long-term fludrocortisone treatment. Potassium levels after adrenalectomy must be monitored to avoid life-threatening hyperkalemia.