Acute intestinal obstruction due to Kalimate, a potassium-lowering agent: a case report and literature review

J Med Assoc Thai. 2013 Dec;96(12):1617-20.

Abstract

Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate) and calcium polystyrene sulfonate (CPS, Kalimate) are commonly used to reduce serum potassium. There were some published evidences of severe gastrointestinal complications from the administration of these agents such as colonic necrosis with or without perforation and acute obstruction. The authors reported a 52-year-old male patient being critically ill from severe soft tissue infection of the right leg and sepsis. Hyperkalemia had occurred due to renal insufficiency and required several doses of Kalimate to reduce the serum potassium level. Subsequently, the patient developed complete intestinal obstruction and an exploratory laparotomy was performed. The intra-operative findings were distended stomach and the small bowel contained a large amount of intraluminal affected Kalimate that was removed via gastrotomy and enterotomy. These findings suggested that the inspissated Kalimate could lead to significant obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract in some groups of patient.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Amputation, Surgical
  • Cation Exchange Resins / adverse effects*
  • Fasciitis, Necrotizing / surgery
  • Humans
  • Intestinal Obstruction / chemically induced*
  • Intestinal Obstruction / surgery
  • Leg / surgery
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polystyrenes / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Cation Exchange Resins
  • Polystyrenes
  • polystyrene sulfonic acid