Incidence of Hypoglycemia in Following Insulin‐based Acute Treatment of Hyperkalemia

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incidence-of-hypoglycemia-in-following-insulin‐based-acute-treatment-of-hyperkalemia

Iatrogenic hypoglycemia, as a result of treatment for hyperkalemia, is a common occurrence. Hyperkalemia occurs disproportionately in patients with acute kidney injury or end‐stage renal disease, and these patients are predisposed to an increased risk of hypoglycemia.

The risk of severe hypoglycemia escalates in patients with lower body weight and creatinine clearance.

Hypoglycemia risk can be minimized by providing sufficient dextrose in the treatment regimen, however, patient variability in treatment response dictates careful blood glucose monitoring before and after treatment.

Of 219 hyperkalemic patients who met the criteria of the study, 19 patients were identified as hypoglycemic, and 5 of these patients were classified as severely hypoglycemic.

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