title: Plasma potassium response after tromethamine (THAM) or sodium bicarbonate in the acidotic rabbit.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the plasma potassium (K+) response after administration of tromethamine (THAM) or sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) in an acidotic rabbit model. Eighteen healthy, adult female New Zealand White rabbits were subjected to severe hypoxia until a base deficit of -10 mEq/L resulted. Rabbits were then randomized to receive THAM solution, NaHCO3, or no drug (control). The drug was administered over 2 min in quantities calculated to correct a base deficit of 10 or greater. Plasma K+ and sodium (Na+) were measured for 45 min after drug administration. No difference in K+ response was noted after THAM, NaHCO3, or no drug. In contrast, THAM resulted in significantly lower Na+ concentrations when compared to the NaHCO3 or the control group (P < 0.05). In this rabbit model, alkalinization after THAM administration results in K+ changes similar to those after NaHCO3. THAM should be considered when treating acidosis in patients where hypernatremia is a concern.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, Naval Medical Center, San Diego, California 92134-5000, USA.
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Waters
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Howard
authors.forename: I K
authors.initials: IK
authors.lastname: Lesnik
mesh_terms: D000138:Acidosis / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000468:Alkalies / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002021:Buffers; D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000097:blood; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D000860:Hypoxia / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications; D016014:Linear Models; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood*; D011817:Rabbits; D011897:Random Allocation; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014325:Tromethamine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000468:Alkalies; D002021:Buffers; D014325:Tromethamine; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D017693:Sodium Bicarbonate; D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium