Glucose-induced hyperkalaemia: A hazard for diabetics?
The intravenous injection of glucose as a "therapeutic test" in comatose diabetics is reviewed in the light of evidence that it may evoke a paradoxical rise in plasma-potassium in the insulin-deprived diabetic. The plasma-potassium rose promptly after a drink of 50 g glucose in 8 insulin-dependent diabetics who had not had insulin for approximately 14-26 hours. This rise coincided with a rise in plasma-osmolality. In non-diabetic controls, however, plasma-potassium fell after the glucose drink. Osmotic and hormonal mechanisms may account for the rise in plasma-potassium in the diabetics. Since the rise in plasma-potassium may be clinically important, caution with, or abandonment of, the use of intravenous glucose as a therapeutic test is recommended.
D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D003926:Diabetic Coma / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D005947:Glucose / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D006947:Hyperkalemia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007328:Insulin / Q000172:deficiency; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D005947:Glucose; D011188:Potassium