Frequency and predictors of hyperkalemia in the heart failure outpatient clinic

Abstract

Objectives: Hyperkalemia is a common and life-threatening condition affecting heart failure (HF) patients. This study aims to show the frequency of hyperkalemia and related factors in the HF outpatient clinic in real world data. Methods: 1146 patients monitored in the HF outpatient clinic with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 40% and potassium level ≥ 3.5 mmol/L were included in the study. Results: The median potassium value of the patients was 4.6 [IQR, 4.3-5] mmol/L. It was evaluated in three groups as 3.5-5 mmol/L (normokalaemia), 5.1-5.5 mmol/L (mild hyperkalemia), and ≥ 5.5 mmol/L (moderate to severe hyperkalemia) according to baseline potassium levels. 14.5% of patients had mild hyperkalemia and 7.1% had moderate to severe hyperkalemia. Patients with a potassium value of > 5 mmol/L made up 21.6%. The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (OR: 0.968, 95% CI: 0.959-0.977, p