AstraZeneca Introduces K+ Connect Program Across India for Hyperkalemia Management

AstraZeneca has introduced K+ Connect, a nationwide initiative aimed at improving the management of hyperkalemia among patients with heart failure (HF) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) in India. The program brings together 33 leading tertiary care institutions to promote coordinated, multidisciplinary care and establish a network of Centers of Excellence dedicated to tackling hyperkalemia.

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Hyperkalemia, defined as elevated potassium levels in the blood, is a frequent and recurring complication in individuals with HF and CKD. Although it affects only around 2–3% of the general population, its prevalence rises sharply to 40–50% in patients with CKD, particularly in advanced stages.

Globally, CKD impacts nearly 850 million people, with hyperkalemia posing a significant clinical burden. In India, chronic hyperkalemia is estimated to affect approximately 13.24% of patients, highlighting the need for improved and consistent disease management strategies.

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Through the K+ Connect initiative, AstraZeneca aims to reposition hyperkalemia from being viewed as an isolated laboratory finding to a chronic condition requiring ongoing, coordinated care. The program will support clinicians in enabling eligible patients to continue guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) with appropriate monitoring and clinical oversight.

The initiative will be implemented in two phases.

• The first phase focuses on aligning healthcare professionals across multiple specialties, including cardiology, nephrology, internal medicine, emergency medicine, pharmacy, and nursing, around the risks, recurrence, and treatment implications of hyperkalemia.

• The second phase will involve case-based workshops to develop consensus-driven institutional protocols covering screening practices, treatment thresholds, monitoring strategies, escalation pathways, and coordination between inpatient and outpatient care.

  
  

K+ Connect is anchored by a national network of prominent institutions such as Max Healthcare (Delhi), Jaslok Hospital (Mumbai), Apollo Hospitals (Bengaluru), and Yashoda Hospital (Hyderabad), along with 29 additional tertiary care centers. The program aims to enhance collaboration and standardize care delivery across different healthcare settings.

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Following the development and publication of consensus protocols, participating institutions will be designated as Centers of Excellence (COEs) based on their adoption of care pathways, staff training, and commitment to continuous improvement. These centers are expected to drive broader adoption of best practices in hyperkalemia management across India.

AstraZeneca’s role in K+ Connect is to facilitate collaboration, enable scientific exchange, and provide evidence-based and operational support, while clinical decision-making and protocol implementation will remain under the authority of the participating institutions.