Morales-Toledo et al. (2026)
Abstract
Background: Hyperkalemia is a common complication of chronic kidney disease (CKD) and a
major barrier to maintaining cardiorenal protective therapies targeting the renin-angiotensin-
aldosterone system (RAAS). Its clinical relevance extends beyond acute electrophysiological
toxicity: recurrent hyperkalemia is associated with higher mortality, cardiovascular events, and
arrhythmias, while RAAS inhibitor dose reduction or discontinuation after hyperkalemia has been
linked to worse outcomes. Objective: To summarize evidence available through March 2026
regarding epidemiology, mechanisms, cardiovascular risk, clinical assessment, and
contemporary management strategies for hyperkalemia in CKD, with emphasis on preserving
cardiorenal protective therapy. Methods: A structured clinical literature search was performed in
PubMed/MEDLINE, Google Scholar/OpenAlex, and guideline repositories, prioritizing
international guidelines, randomized trials, meta-analyses, cohort studies, and consensus
documents published through March 31, 2026. Evidence from nondialysis CKD was prioritized,
with heart failure, diabetes, and dialysis studies included when clinically informative. A narrative,
decision-oriented synthesis was performed. Results: Reduced glomerular filtration rate, diabetes,
heart failure, metabolic acidosis, RAAS inhibitors, mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists, and
higher baseline potassium increase hyperkalemia risk. Recent observational data associate
recurrent hyperkalemia with increased mortality, major cardiovascular events, and hospitalized
arrhythmia. KDIGO recommends correcting reversible factors, using diuretics and bicarbonate
when appropriate, and considering licensed potassium binders before reducing or stopping RAAS
blockade. Patiromer and sodium zirconium cyclosilicate effectively reduce potassium and may
facilitate continuation of guideline-directed cardiorenal therapies, with distinct safety profiles.
Conclusions: Hyperkalemia in CKD should be approached as a cardiorenal management problem
rather than an isolated electrolyte abnormality. Optimal care combines risk stratification,
monitoring, correction of reversible causes, and appropriate use of modern potassium binders,
while RAAS inhibitor withdrawal should be reserved for persistent hyperkalemia despite corrective
measures.
Keywords: hyperkalemia; chronic kidney disease; cardiovascular risk; RAAS inhibitors;
patiromer; sodium zirconium cyclosilicate; finerenone.
1
. Introducción
La paradoja terapéutica es evidente:
los inhibidores de la enzima
La hiperpotasemia representa una
de las alteraciones electrolíticas más
relevantes en la ERC por su
convertidora
de
angiotensina,
antagonistas del receptor de
angiotensina II y antagonistas del
receptor mineralocorticoide reducen
eventos renales y cardiovasculares
en poblaciones seleccionadas, pero
pueden elevar el potasio sérico. En
la práctica, un episodio de
asociación
con
arritmias
letales,
potencialmente
hospitalización y mortalidad. El
riesgo aumenta conforme disminuye
la tasa de filtración glomerular
estimada (eGFR), especialmente
cuando coexisten diabetes mellitus,
hiperpotasemia
conduce
con
frecuencia a reducción de dosis o
suspensión del SRAA; sin embargo,
insuficiencia
cardiaca,
acidosis
metabólica o exposición a fármacos
que reducen la excreción renal de
potasio [1–5].
estudios
observacionales
contemporáneos han asociado esa