title: [Clinical value of determining potassium level in erythrocytes of operated-on patients].
abstract: Since potassium ions are very important in surgical pathology and the course of the postoperative period, the authors determined erythrocyte potassium in 211 patients (37 in the control group and in 174 in the pathological group). The statistically evaluated results were compared for both groups and the correlations of serum and red cell potassium with the acid-base status were studied. The authors used a Marongiu's modified method of potassium determination in a erythrocyte hemolysate with a flame photometer. The mean values for both the control and pathological groups were 84.61 (SD 5.24) and 85.98 (SD 9.10), respectively. The correlation of serum and erythrocyte potassium is subject to many influences and occurs only in the limited pH and HCO3 intervals (pH 7.4 +/- 0.5 and HCO3 21 +/- 2.0) so that it is insignificant even for the control group. If a concentration exceeding two standard deviations is considered abnormal and a deficit percentage is calculated, it is possible to approximate the total body deficit from the expected values of 50-55 mM/kg and to start proper replacement. In evaluating the results, precise laboratory work must be performed and the clinical condition must be taken into account. Therefore, the method of erythrocyte potassium determination is not suitable for routine work and is used only in case of serum potassium excess values and during prolonged postoperative parenteral treatment.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Popovich
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Dugalich
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Krivokapich
mesh_terms: D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000517:prevention & control*; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D010783:Photometry / Q000379:methods; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood*; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative
chemical_list: D011188:Potassium
vernacular_title: Klinicheskoe znachenie opredeleniia kaliia v éritrotsitakh operirovannykh.