Abstract
In heart failure, hyperkalaemia is a frequent problem because of several factors, such as neurohumoral mechanisms involved in pathophysiology of the disease, renal failure, comorbidities, and also drugs with prognostic benefit. Among such drugs are inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, which can increase potassium levels, especially when combined with other drugs, such as nonsteroidal antirheumatics and others.
Hyperkalaemia can have severe consequences, if not corrected, mostly cardiac. Therefore, it is important to respect some rules, like prescribing drugs influencing potassium levels prudently, managing all factors increasing the risk of hyperkalaemia, and treating hyperkalaemia immediately if it develops.
This overview summarizes all usual treatments of hyperkalaemia. New molecules are also discussed that can decrease the risk of developing hyperkalaemia, like finerenone, or decrease plasma potassium effectively, like chelating polymer patiromer or ion sieve sodium zirkonium cyclosilicate.