Hyperkalemia and Hypertension Post Organ Transplantation - A Management Challenge. 2021

Seyed Mehrdad Hamrahian, and Tibor Fülöp
Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA. Electronic address: seyed.hamrahian@jefferson.edu.

Potassium is the most important intracellular cation and the kidneys play a pivotal role in potassium homeostasis. Potassium disorder is a common electrolyte abnormality and it increases the risk of death from any cause, particularly cardiovascular events. Hyperkalemia is a common electrolyte abnormality encountered post organ transplantation. The etiology is multifactorial, and includes drugs such as calcineurin inhibitors. In certain regards, the clinical picture of post-transplantation hyperkalemia and hypertension resembles that of Gordon syndrome or familial hyperkalemic hypertension, a disorder characterized by over activity of thiazide-sensitive sodium chloride cotransporter. Effective and safe management of chronic hyperkalemia can be challenging in this special patient population. Despite the significant short-term and long-term side effects, fludrocortisone (a potent synthetic oral mineralocorticoid receptor agonist) has emerged as the default drug of choice for treatment of refractory hyperkalemia in many organ transplant recipients. However, the long-term efficacy and safety of fludrocortisone for management of hyperkalemia in organ transplant recipients remains unknown. This review discusses potassium homeostasis, including the role of the kidneys, and focuses on calcineurin inhibitor-induced hyperkalemia and on the under-appreciated role of thiazide-type diuretic use in management of hyperkalemia and hypertension. We present an illustrative case of post-transplantation hyperkalemia and hypertension with relevant literature.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D006973 Hypertension Persistently high systemic arterial BLOOD PRESSURE. Based on multiple readings (BLOOD PRESSURE DETERMINATION), hypertension is currently defined as when SYSTOLIC PRESSURE is consistently greater than 140 mm Hg or when DIASTOLIC PRESSURE is consistently 90 mm Hg or more. Blood Pressure, High,Blood Pressures, High,High Blood Pressure,High Blood Pressures
D007668 Kidney Body organ that filters blood for the secretion of URINE and that regulates ion concentrations. Kidneys
D011188 Potassium An element in the alkali group of metals with an atomic symbol K, atomic number 19, and atomic weight 39.10. It is the chief cation in the intracellular fluid of muscle and other cells. Potassium ion is a strong electrolyte that plays a significant role in the regulation of fluid volume and maintenance of the WATER-ELECTROLYTE BALANCE.
D004232 Diuretics Agents that promote the excretion of urine through their effects on kidney function. Diuretic,Diuretic Effect,Diuretic Effects,Effect, Diuretic,Effects, Diuretic
D006706 Homeostasis The processes whereby the internal environment of an organism tends to remain balanced and stable. Autoregulation
D006947 Hyperkalemia Abnormally high potassium concentration in the blood, most often due to defective renal excretion. It is characterized clinically by electrocardiographic abnormalities (elevated T waves and depressed P waves, and eventually by atrial asystole). In severe cases, weakness and flaccid paralysis may occur. (Dorland, 27th ed) Hyperpotassemia,Hyperkalemias,Hyperpotassemias
D049971 Thiazides Heterocyclic compounds with SULFUR and NITROGEN in the ring. This term commonly refers to the BENZOTHIADIAZINES that inhibit SODIUM-POTASSIUM-CHLORIDE SYMPORTERS and are used as DIURETICS. Thiazide
D019737 Transplants Organs, tissues, or cells taken from the body for grafting into another area of the same body or into another individual. Cell Transplants,Grafts,Organ Grafts,Organ Transplants,Tissue Grafts,Tissue Transplants,Cell Transplant,Graft,Graft, Organ,Graft, Tissue,Grafts, Organ,Grafts, Tissue,Organ Graft,Organ Transplant,Tissue Graft,Tissue Transplant,Transplant,Transplant, Cell,Transplant, Organ,Transplant, Tissue,Transplants, Cell,Transplants, Organ,Transplants, Tissue
D065095 Calcineurin Inhibitors Compounds that inhibit or block the PHOSPHATASE activity of CALCINEURIN. Calcineurin Inhibitor,Calcineurin Antagonists,Calcineurin Blockers,Protein Phosphatase 3 Inhibitors,Protein Phosphatase-2B Inhibitors,Inhibitor, Calcineurin,Protein Phosphatase 2B Inhibitors

Related Publications

Seyed Mehrdad Hamrahian, and Tibor Fülöp
March 2012, Anasthesiologie, Intensivmedizin, Notfallmedizin, Schmerztherapie : AINS,
Seyed Mehrdad Hamrahian, and Tibor Fülöp
March 2005, Progress in transplantation (Aliso Viejo, Calif.),
Seyed Mehrdad Hamrahian, and Tibor Fülöp
October 2007, Minerva anestesiologica,
Seyed Mehrdad Hamrahian, and Tibor Fülöp
June 2000, European journal of internal medicine,
Seyed Mehrdad Hamrahian, and Tibor Fülöp
October 2021, Hospital practice (1995),
Seyed Mehrdad Hamrahian, and Tibor Fülöp
February 2024, Pediatric transplantation,
Seyed Mehrdad Hamrahian, and Tibor Fülöp
January 2000, Le Journal medical libanais. The Lebanese medical journal,
Seyed Mehrdad Hamrahian, and Tibor Fülöp
January 2005, Saudi journal of kidney diseases and transplantation : an official publication of the Saudi Center for Organ Transplantation, Saudi Arabia,
Seyed Mehrdad Hamrahian, and Tibor Fülöp
January 1988, Duodecim; laaketieteellinen aikakauskirja,
Seyed Mehrdad Hamrahian, and Tibor Fülöp
March 2017, American journal of transplantation : official journal of the American Society of Transplantation and the American Society of Transplant Surgeons,
Copied contents to your clipboard!