Effectiveness of Patiromer Versus Sodium Zirconium Cyclosilicate for the Management of Acute Hyperkalemia

Background: Patiromer and sodium zirconium cyclosilicate (SZC) are 2 oral potassium binders approved for chronic hyperkalemia. It is unknown if one is more effective at reducing serum potassium than the other in acute hyperkalemia. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine if there was a difference between patiromer and SZC in the reduction of serum potassium in patients with acute hyperkalemia. Methods: This was a single-center, retrospective, observational study. Patients with a nonhemolyzed serum potassium level of 5.5 mEq/L or greater and received at least one dose of patiromer or SZC were included. The primary outcome was to determine the difference in effectiveness between patiromer and SZC in lowering of serum potassium 6 to 24 hours after administration. Secondary outcomes included description of total dosage received in 24 hours and incidence of electrolyte changes. Results: A total of 200 patients were included in this study, with 100 patients in each group. Serum potassium was significantly reduced by both patiromer (-1.2 mEq/L, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -2.3 to -0.2) and SZC (-0.8 mEq/L, 95% CI: -1.0 to -0.7), but there was no difference between the 2 medications in the amount of potassium reduction (P = 0.464). No clinically significant differences in electrolyte changes were seen. Conclusions and Relevance: This study represents the first head-to-head comparison of patiromer and SZC in the setting of acute hyperkalemia. No difference in effectiveness between patiromer and SZC in reducing serum potassium was seen. Both agents can be considered in acute hyperkalemia management.