TREATMENT OF HYPERKALEMIA IN ACUTE RENAL FAILURE USING EXCHANGE RESINS

IN THE therapy of acute renal failure with oliguria no specific means are known to accelerate healing of the damaged nephrons. Treatment is directed largely towards the prevention and correction of water and electrolyte derangements, including the retention of potassium, which, with its danger to cardiac function, presents a particularly serious hazard to the patient. Reduction of high concentrations of potassium in the serum may be accomplished by various procedures aimed at correcting abnormal concentrations of this and other diffusible substances in the extracellular fluids. These methods include the artificial kidney,¹ peritoneal lavage,² and exchange transfusions.³ A therapeutic measure aimed specifically at removal of potassium is the method of intestinal lavage advocated by Hicks and his associates.⁴ Other approaches to the problem are concerned with the early prevention of hyperkalemia. These include limitation of tissue breakdown by the use of high caloric inputs⁵ and testosterone¹ and the reduction of the concentration