[Management of hyperphosphoremia].

Phosphorus is involved in the pathogenesis of hyperparathyroidism in Chronic Renal Failure (CRF) and in extra-osseous calcifications. Therefore, it is directly related with the morbi-mortality of these patients. The control of phosphorus is of the utmost importance and is often extremely difficult to achieve. A quick overview of the drugs that can bind phosphorus is given in this paper. Iron salts are beginning to come through as a viable possibility in the near future; nevertheless, calcium salts continue to be the most widespread. The problem is the ease with which a positive calcium balance can be produced, as extra-osseous calcifications (and above all, vascular calcifications) can appear and morbid-mortality increases. As a result of all this, calcium-free binders such as lanthanum carbonate and sevelamer are eagerly awaited. The lanthanum is as of yet little and not very well known. Sevelamer possesses good phosphorus-binding properties, as it is insoluble, does not cause intestinal degradation, does not contain traces of other elements and its use has few side effects. Long-term studies and accumulated experience have demonstrated its efficacy as a binder, plus additional advantages such as an improvement in the lipid profile, with a decrease in LDL--and an increase in HDL-cholesterol. As to whether these new binders--or any other compounds that could appear-will be of any real use only time will tell.