title: Potassium homeostasis and hyperkalemic syndromes.
abstract: Acute hyperkalemia can be a life-threatening consequence of a variety of pathologic, pharmacologic, and iatrogenic disorders. Recognition and prompt therapy often reverse the electrophysiologic complications within minutes. Therefore, physicians must have a thorough understanding of potassium homeostasis. The causes of hyperkalemia, intracellular-to-extracellular shifts of potassium, excess exogenous potassium loads, and pseudohyperkalemia are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Charles A. Dana Research Institute, Harvard-Thorndike Laboratory of Beth Israel Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D006947:Hyperkalemia / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000628:therapy; D007668:Kidney / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000502:physiology; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000652:urine; D017419:Potassium, Dietary / Q000008:administration & dosage; D013577:Syndrome
chemical_list: D017419:Potassium, Dietary; D011188:Potassium