SZC Versus SPS for Treatment of Hyperkalemia in Hemodialysis Patients

Sodium Zirconium Cyclosilicate Versus Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate for Treatment of Hyperkalemia in Hemodialysis Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial

This study aims to compare the effects of Sodium Zirconium Cyclosilicate versus Sodium Polystyrene Sulfonate for treatment of hyperkalemia in patients undergoing regular hemodialysis.

Patients maintained on regular hemodialysis (HD) have a high risk of hyperkalemia (>5.0 mmol/l). Hyperkalemia is a critical medical condition that can result in arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. Treatment of hyperkalemia in HD patients is challenging.

Therapeutic options for the treatment of hyperkalemia in HD population include potassium binding resins, such as sodium polystyrene sulfonate (SPS), patiromer, and sodium zirconium cyclosilicate. There is limited data about the use of these agents in HD.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. ≥3 month of maintenance hemodialysis, 3 times per week for 4 hours.
2. Adult patients with age above 18 years.
3. baseline serum potassium level >5 mEq/L.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Gastrointestinal diseases (constipation, bleeding, Hx of endoscopy, chronic diarrhea or diarrhea in the past month, malabsorption, GIT surgery, ischemic colitis, necrosis, perforation, ….).
2. Breast feeding or pregnancy.
3. Patients who receive medications to treat hyperkalemia 2 weeks before study.
4. myocardial infarction, acute coronary syndrome, stroke, seizure, or thromboembolic event within 8 weeks before study.