Patiromer Efficacy to Reduce Episodic Hyperkalemia in End Stage Renal Disease Patients

The purpose of this study is to determine whether once-daily dosing of patiromer will reduce the frequency of hyperkalemic episodes in ESRD (end stage renal disease) study participants who receive conventional hemodialysis (HD). The study objective is to determine if patiromer administered orally once a day with breakfast or lunch will reduce episodes of hyperkalemia in ESRD study participants who receive thrice-weekly HD.

This is a prospective, randomized, open-label trial. Eligible ESRD patients who are on thrice weekly HD schedule will be screened from retrospective review of clinical and laboratory parameters from our clinical practice group. A total of 40 study participants (randomized 1:1 study drug: usual care) will be enrolled. Duration of study medication exposure will be 4 weeks. The total duration of study, from enrollment until the end of the washout period will be 7 weeks. This is a proof of concept study, to determine whether administration of patiromer has the potential to change the risk category for ESRD patients who are on conventional HD schedules. In addition, the study will develop and pilot study procedures that could be implemented in a large-scale clinical trial. By nature of the limited size of the study, the power of the trial will be limited. Reducing serum potassium with the use of low dialysate potassium is actually associated with an increased risk of sudden cardiac death. Furthermore, HD patients already carry a high pill burden, and it is unclear if prescription of an additional oral medication will reduce the frequency of episodic hyperkalemia.