Serum potassium trajectory during AKI and mortality risk

Background: The association between potassium (sK) level trajectory and mortality or the need for kidney replacement therapy (KRT) during acute kidney injury (AKI) has not been adequately explored. Methods: In this prospective cohort, AKI patients admitted to the Hospital Civil de Guadalajara were enrolled. Eight groups based on the sK (mEq/L) level trajectories during 10 days of hospitalization were created, (1) normokalemia (normoK), defined as sK between 3.5-5.5; (2) hyperkalemia to normoK; (3) hypokalemia to normoK; (4) fluctuating potassium; (5) persistent hypoK; (6) normoK to hypoK; (7) normoK to hyperK; (8) persistent hyperK. We assessed the association of sK trajectories with mortality and the need for KRT. Results: A total of 311 AKI patients were included. The mean age 52.6 years, and 58.6% were male. AKI stage 3 was present in 63.9%. KRT started in 36% patients, and 21.2% died. After adjusting for confounders, 10-day hospital mortality was significantly higher in group 7 and 8 (OR, 1.35 and 1.61, p =
Source: Nephron - Category: Urology & Nephrology Source Type: research