Biomaterial Database

Potassium and renal failure. 1981

C L Kunis, and A N Charney

Hyperkalemia caused by decreased renal K+ secretion may be seen in patients with mild, moderate, or severe ARF or CRF. Decreased K+ secretion by the distal tubule may be due primarily to a decrease in tubular fluid flow rate, as in ARF, or it may be due to diminished circulating aldosterone concentrations, as in patients with hyporeninemic hypoaldosteronism. Patients with CRF adapt to K+ loads by increasing K+ excretion per nephron as well as by transferring K+ more rapidly into cells. However, an increased K+ load may still produce hyperkalemia in the CRF patient because of limitations in the adaptive responses. Hyperkalemia may present a true medical emergency in the patient with renal failure. Although the serum K+concentration can usually be controlled by the administration of calcium, glucose and insulin, sodium bicarbonate, diuretics, and/or the use of K+ exchange resins, dialysis may be necessary. Hyperkalemia complicating acute or chronic renal failure is an important, common problem requiring the use of peritoneal dialysis or hemodialysis.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007668	Kidney	Body organ that filters blood for the secretion of URINE and that regulates ion concentrations.	Kidneys
D007676	Kidney Failure, Chronic	The end-stage of CHRONIC RENAL INSUFFICIENCY. It is characterized by the severe irreversible kidney damage (as measured by the level of PROTEINURIA) and the reduction in GLOMERULAR FILTRATION RATE to less than 15 ml per min (Kidney Foundation: Kidney Disease Outcome Quality Initiative, 2002). These patients generally require HEMODIALYSIS or KIDNEY TRANSPLANTATION.	ESRD,End-Stage Renal Disease,Renal Disease, End-Stage,Renal Failure, Chronic,Renal Failure, End-Stage,Chronic Kidney Failure,End-Stage Kidney Disease,Chronic Renal Failure,Disease, End-Stage Kidney,Disease, End-Stage Renal,End Stage Kidney Disease,End Stage Renal Disease,End-Stage Renal Failure,Kidney Disease, End-Stage,Renal Disease, End Stage,Renal Failure, End Stage
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.
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
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
D001692	Biological Transport	The movement of materials (including biochemical substances and drugs) through a biological system at the cellular level. The transport can be across cell membranes and epithelial layers. It also can occur within intracellular compartments and extracellular compartments.	Transport, Biological,Biologic Transport,Transport, Biologic
D058186	Acute Kidney Injury	Abrupt reduction in kidney function. Acute kidney injury encompasses the entire spectrum of the syndrome including acute kidney failure; ACUTE KIDNEY TUBULAR NECROSIS; and other less severe conditions.	Acute Kidney Failure,Acute Kidney Insufficiency,Acute Renal Failure,Acute Renal Injury,Acute Renal Insufficiency,Kidney Failure, Acute,Kidney Insufficiency, Acute,Renal Failure, Acute,Renal Insufficiency, Acute,Acute Kidney Failures,Acute Kidney Injuries,Acute Kidney Insufficiencies,Acute Renal Failures,Acute Renal Injuries,Acute Renal Insufficiencies,Kidney Failures, Acute,Kidney Injuries, Acute,Kidney Injury, Acute,Kidney Insufficiencies, Acute,Renal Failures, Acute,Renal Injuries, Acute,Renal Injury, Acute,Renal Insufficiencies, Acute