Optimizing Outcomes in
Patients with Hyperkalemia:
Exploring the Role of the Family Physician

Registration and Dinner: 6:15 – 6:45 pm CT
Symposium: 6:45 – 8:15 pm CT
Venue:  Hyatt Regency McCormick Place
               2233 S Martin Luther King Drive,
               Chicago, Illinois
Ballroom: Prairie Ballroom

This event is not a part of the official AAFP FMX.

Chair: Csaba P. Kovesdy, MD

Faculty: Deborah Clegg, PhD;
              Jay Shubrook, DO;
              Bruce Spinowitz, MD

Registration for this program is now closed.

There is a need for family physician awareness of the importance of potassium (K+) balance and of the multiple causes and consequences of hyperkalemia. There is an increased risk for hyperkalemia in vulnerable patients that family physicians commonly treat, such as those with chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetes and heart failure (HF); many of these patients receive renin-angiotensin-aldosterone inhibitors (RAASi). It is essential that family physicians have an appreciation of the benefit/ risk profile of RAASi, specifically their cardiovascular (CV) and renal benefits, as well as an awareness of the need to maintain patients on these agents and preferably at target doses. Restricting dietary K+ intake is used as a core intervention for prevention and treatment of hyperkalemia; however, recent evidence has called this strategy into question, and clinicians need to be updated with current expert opinion to subsequently disseminate this information to patients. Furthermore, it is important for family physicians to receive education on new K+ binders which not only effectively treat hyperkalemia, but also enable patients to continue with RAASi therapy. Interpreting data with new K+ binders is critical to facilitate implementation of treatment plans with these agents. Another population at high risk are patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD); ESRD patients have severely reduced renal K+ excretion and require hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis to maintain normal serum K+. Despite dialysis, many patients have persistent predialysis hyperkalemia, a potentially life-threatening condition associated with cardiac arrhythmias and death. K+ binder therapy has been shown to be an effective, well-tolerated treatment for predialysis hyperkalemia. In this program, experts will discuss the risk factors for, and risks of hyperkalemia, treatment goals of acute and chronic hyperkalemia, the importance of RAASi in CKD and HF patients, the potential adverse outcomes in individuals with ESRD undergoing adequate hemodialysis with predialysis hyperkalemia, and evidence with K+ binders in various patient populations. A multi-specialty faculty, consisting of two nephrologists, a dietician, and a primary care physician, will then discuss cardiorenal challenges faced by family physicians, including dietary recommendations to their patients with hyperkalemia. In addition, the panel will identify key cardiorenal messages for patients taking K+ binders (for hyperkalemia) and sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors which reduce the risk for hyperkalemia and significantly improve cardiorenal outcomes.

Educational Objectives: 

1. Recognize the association of hyperkalemia with common comorbidities treated by family physicians
2. Explain the risks associated with chronic hyperkalemia
3. Describe the clinical evidence with potassium binders in patients with hyperkalemia
4. Discuss cardiorenal challenges faced by family physicians including recommending the appropriate diet for patients with hyperkalemia who have chronic kidney disease (CKD) and heart failure (HF), and communicating key messages of cardiorenal benefits associated with potassium binders and SGLT2 inhibitors

Accreditation & Credit Designation:
This live activity, Optimizing Outcomes in Patients with Hyperkalemia: Exploring the Role of the Family Physician, with a beginning date of 10/26/2023, has been reviewed and is acceptable for up to 1.5 Prescribed credit(s) by the American Academy of Family Physicians. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Voxmedia LLC is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Voxmedia LLC designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)^TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Nurse practitioners may participate in this educational activity and earn a certificate of completion as AANP accepts AMA PRA Category 1.5 Credits^TM through its reciprocity agreements. The National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants accepts AMA PRA Category 1 Credits^TM from organizations accredited by the ACCME.

Educational Grant: Voxmedia International gratefully acknowledges the educational grant provided by AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals.

Target Audience:  This educational activity is intended for primary care physicians and other clinicians managing patients at risk for, and with hyperkalemia.