Resumen de Pharmaceutical care in elderly patients with hyperkalemia
J.J. Corte García, M. Espín Fernández, L. Ordóñez Fernández, J. Rojo Erayalar, María Trujillo Fagundo
Objective: To analyze the use of medication prone to cause hyperkalemia in elderly patients with predisposing conditions and to assess the acceptance degree of the recommendations of dosage adjustments executed by the pharmacy services in order to decrease hyperkalemia. Method: A six months retrospective descriptive study .We reviewed the patients =65 years drug therapy and potassium serum levels =5.5 mmol/L. The recommendations of pharmacotherapy optimization performed in the electronic health record were assessed. Results: 56 patients showed plasma potassium levels =5.5 mmol/L. 151 Suspected drugs were identified: 70/151 low molecular weight heparins, 22/151 angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, 16/151 digoxin, 43/151 other drugs. 24 recommended pharmacotherapeutic adjustments were carried out thus observing modification of the treatment according to proposal in 14 cases. Conclusions: The use of medication susceptible to cause hyperkalemia in the elderly is common; thus monitoring plasma potassium levels in hospitalized patients must be a routine activity of the pharmacy service
