title: Plasma potassium in acute severe asthma before and after treatment.
abstract: The plasma potassium level was studied in 15 patients with acute severe asthma before and six to 14 hours (mean = seven) after treatment with a nebulised beta 2-agonist, salbutamol, intravenous aminophylline and hydrocortisone in recommended doses. The mean basal plasma potassium level in the untreated acute severe asthmatics was 3.54 mmol/l (range 2.6-4), which is on the lower side of normal (3.5-5.0). There was a significant decrease in the mean plasma potassium level to 2.9 mmol/l (2.6-3.5) in asthmatics who received the above treatment. The clinical implications and association of these findings with fatal asthma are discussed.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Khan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000628:Aminophylline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D000628:Aminophylline; D000420:Albuterol; D011188:Potassium; D006854:Hydrocortisone