Hyperkalemia

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)

End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)

Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone (RAAS)

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a progressive loss of renal function over a period of months or years. The major causes of CKD are diabetes, dyslipidemia and high blood pressure. Chronic kidney disease is determined by a creatinine blood test.

Stages of Chronic Kidney Disease

The main goals of therapy is:

• To slow the progression of disease
• To treat the underlying causes and contributing factors
• To treat complications of the disease
• To replace lost kidney function

Medications include: ACE: Angiotensin Converting Enzyme inhibitor; ARB: Angiotensin Receptor Blocker, AA: Aldosterone Antagonist. Combinations and higher doses of these drugs as they are frequently used in treatment of CHF and CKD may lead to higher incidences of hyperkalemia.

Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) suggests that the prevalence of CKD differs little around the world. In the US, as many as 20 million Americans are currently affected by this disease.

National Kidney Foundation

American Association of Kidney Patients

National Kidney Disease Education Program

American Association of Nephrology

K/DOQI Clinical Practice Guidelines

CinicalTrials.gov

PubMed (search for medical articles)