New Frontiers in Hyperkalemia Care: The Role of Managed Care Professionals and Novel Potassium Binders

Program Description

Hyperkalemia can be a potentially life-threatening complication in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and heart failure (HF), particularly those receiving renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors (RAASi) or mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs). Even mild potassium elevations are clinically consequential, carrying an increased risk of arrhythmia, sudden cardiac death, prolonged hospital stays, and recurrent emergency department visits. From a health care systems perspective, each recurrence contributes to higher resource utilization. This session will examine the complex pathophysiology of potassium homeostasis and the multifactorial risk of hyperkalemia in CKD and HF, including the therapeutic conflict between maintaining life-prolonging RAASi therapy and mitigating hyperkalemia risk. Presenters will review real-world data on potassium-binding agents, which have been shown to safely reduce serum potassium, enable RAASi optimization, and improve long-term outcomes. Tailored for pharmacists and managed care professionals, the session will focus on practical strategies to identify at-risk patients, guide treatment selection, monitor for recurrence, and navigate formulary and coverage considerations. Participants will also explore how pharmacist-led interventions, adherence support, and policy alignment can reduce hospital utilization, support guideline-concordant therapy, and ultimately lessen the clinical and economic burden of hyperkalemia across the continuum of care.

Target audience: Managed care pharmacists
Type of activity: Application
Release date: April 30, 2026
Expiration date: April 30, 2027
Learner level: Foundational, Intermediate
Time to complete activity: 1.5 hour
Fee: Free

Educational Objectives

At the completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Explain the pathophysiology, high-risk populations, recurrence patterns, and health burden of hyperkalemia in patients with chronic kidney disease and heart failure.
• Compare the mechanisms, efficacy, safety profiles, and real-world impact of potassium binders in both acute and chronic hyperkalemia settings.
• Explore the economic impact and operational barriers associated with hyperkalemia management and how these affect access, adherence, and utilization of newer therapies.