5/6 Nephrectomy impairs acute kaliuretic responses and predisposes to postprandial hyperkalemia.

The susceptibility of patients with chronic kidney disease to develop postprandial hyperkalemia suggests alterations in normal kidney sodium (Na) and potassium (K) handling, but the exact nature of these changes is largely unknown. To address this, we analyzed the natriuretic and kaliuretic responses to diuretics and acute K loading in rats who underwent 5/6 nephrectomy (5/6Nx) and compared this with the response in sham-operated rats. The natriuretic and kaliuretic responses to furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, and amiloride were largely similar between 5/6Nx and sham rats except for a significantly reduced kaliuretic response to hydrochlorothiazide in 5/6Nx rats.

Kaliuresis and Intracellular Uptake of Potassium with Potassium Citrate and Potassium Chloride Supplements: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: A potassium replete diet is associated with lower cardiovascular risk but may increase the risk of hyperkalemia, particularly in people using renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors. We investigated whether intracellular uptake and potassium excretion after an acute oral potassium load depend on the accompanying anion and/or aldosterone and whether this results in altered plasma potassium change.

Methods: In this placebo-controlled interventional cross-over trial including 18 healthy individuals, we studied the acute effects of one oral load of potassium citrate (40 mmol), potassium chloride (40 mmol), and placebo in random order after overnight fasting.

[Pseudohyperkalemia: clinical chemistry for the clinician].

Background: Hyperkalemia is an electrolyte disorder requiring medical attention because it can cause cardiac arrhythmias. Pseudohyperkalemia is the phenomenon of an elevated potassium concentration that is present in the blood sample but not in the patient. Pseudohyperkalemia can be caused by hemolysis, leukocytosis, thrombocytosis, seasonal pseudohyperkalemia, potassium release from muscle cells due to fist clenching during venipuncture, and contamination due to blood withdrawal from an intravenous line over which potassium was administered.

Effects of Short-Term Potassium Chloride Supplementation in Patients with CKD.

Background: Observational studies suggest that adequate dietary potassium intake (90-120 mmol/day) may be renoprotective, but the effects of increasing dietary potassium and the risk of hyperkalemia are unknown.

Methods: This is a prespecified analysis of the run-in phase of a clinical trial in which 191 patients (age 68±11 years, 74% males, 86% European ancestry, eGFR 31±9 ml/min per 1.73 m, 83% renin-angiotensin system inhibitors, 38% diabetes) were treated with 40 mmol potassium chloride (KCl) per day for 2 weeks.

Dietary potassium and the kidney: lifesaving physiology.

Potassium often has a negative connotation in Nephrology as patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) are prone to develop hyperkalaemia. Approaches to the management of chronic hyperkalaemia include a low potassium diet or potassium binders. Yet, emerging data indicate that dietary potassium may be beneficial for patients with CKD.

Regulation of the Renal NaCl Cotransporter and Its Role in Potassium Homeostasis.

Daily dietary potassium (K) intake may be as large as the extracellular K pool. To avoid acute hyperkalemia, rapid removal of K from the extracellular space is essential. This is achieved by translocating K into cells and increasing urinary K excretion.

Rationale and Design of a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial Assessing the Renoprotective Effects of Potassium Supplementation in Chronic Kidney Disease.

Background/aims: Dietary potassium (K+) has beneficial effects on blood pressure and cardiovascular (CV) outcomes. Recently, several epidemiological studies have revealed an association between urinary K+ excretion (as proxy for dietary intake) and better renal outcomes in subjects with chronic kidney disease (CKD). To address causality, we designed the "K+ in CKD" study.

Serum Lipids and Lipoproteins During Uncomplicated Malaria: A Cohort Study in Lambaréné, Gabon.

AbstractThe serum lipid profile in malaria patients has been found to differ from that of healthy controls. We investigated serum lipid profile changes in malaria patients over time compared with patients with other febrile diseases. In total, 217 patients were included in the study (111 malaria patients and 106 symptomatic controls, defined as malaria-negative febrile patients).

The Dynamic Compression Brace for Pectus Carinatum: Intermediate Results in 286 Patients.

Background: Dynamic brace compression is a novel treatment for patients with pectus carinatum. The dynamic compression system contains a device to measure the flexibility of the thoracic wall and regulate the pressure of the brace.

Methods: Patients referred to our pediatric surgical center were screened for treatment with the dynamic compression brace.