title: Arterial versus venous potassium: clinical implications.
abstract: A difference between potassium concentrations in arterial plasma and venous serum was evaluated. The difference was 0.5 mM/litre, with a range of 0.1 to 1.1 mM/liter. Multiple factors operating primarily upon the venous sample are responsible for this difference. The value for arterial plasma potassium is stable and preferable, but a revised normal for arterial plasma K+ is necessary.
mesh_terms: D001158:Arteries; D006801:Humans; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism; D013048:Specimen Handling; D013997:Time Factors; D014680:Veins
chemical_list: D011188:Potassium