Overcoming Hyperkalaemia as a Barrier to Achieving Optimal RAASi Therapy and Cardiorenal Protection in Individuals with Cardiorenal Disease: A Podcast Discussion

Renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitor (RAASi) therapies are a cornerstone of guideline-directed medical therapy in the management of cardiorenal disease, including chronic kidney disease and heart failure. Management guidelines state that these therapies should be prescribed at the maximum licensed or tolerated dose in order to prevent disease progression and adverse events. However, both cardiorenal disease and RAASi therapies increase the risk of hyperkalaemia. When hyperkalaemia occurs, clinicians often down-titrate or discontinue these important RAASi therapies, leaving patients at risk of adverse cardiorenal outcomes. Eleven cardiorenal experts considered how hyperkalaemia can act as a barrier to optimised RAASi therapy in patients with cardiorenal disease and how these issues could be mitigated. Four key areas of suboptimal and variable clinical practice were identified: optimisation of RAASi therapy; definition and management of acute hyperkalaemia; secondary to primary care communications; and patient education. In this podcast article, two of the experts discuss the clinical challenges and principles of optimal care for each of the four areas identified. The experts agreed that hyperkalaemia should be considered a predictable and manageable condition, requiring a pre-emptive and long-term approach. When hyperkalaemia occurs, down-titrating or discontinuing RAASi therapy should be a last resort, after all other management approaches have been employed. Healthcare professionals in secondary and primary care must communicate and collaborate to ensure effective, consistent management of patients with cardiorenal disease. Finally, patients should be educated to understand their cardiorenal disease and its management and the importance of optimal RAASi therapy.