Life-threatening hypokalemia in hospitalized patients.
Severe life-threatening hypokalemia (serum potassium less than or equal to 2.5 mmol/l) was found in 0.03% of serum biochemical profiles within 13 years in a major university hospital in Israel. Out of 130 patients with hypokalemia of this magnitude, 84 (65%) were females and the mean age was 64 years. A combination of iatrogenic factors, including the administration of intravenous fluids with insufficient or no potassium (K) replacement and the use of K-depleting medications and insulin, was responsible for the hypokalemia in 68% of the patients. Gastrointestinal loss of K was the main cause of severe hypokalemia in 22% of the patients. It is concluded that severe hypokalemia in hospitalized patients is commonly the result of multiple iatrogenic factors and, therefore, can be prevented by frequent monitoring of serum K and appropriate K supplementation.
Halevy
J
J
Department of Internal Medicine E, Beilinson Medical Center, Petah Tiqva, Israel.
Gunsherowitz
M
M
Rosenfeld
J B
JB
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000209:etiology*; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D012737:Sex Factors