title: Serum potassium and sodium levels after subarachnoid haemorrhage.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many studies have demonstrated that subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) is associated with hyponatraemia but associations with potassium levels are less well studied. There is a clear physiological link between sodium and potassium and abnormal potassium levels that can lead to dangerous outcomes. The purpose of the present study is to define changes in levels of both these cations that occur in standardised salt management of SAH.
  
  
  METHODS
  114 records of patients admitted between 2 January 2011 and 27 December 2011 with SAH at a single institution were obtained retrospectively. Sodium and potassium values were recorded for 14 days post-SAH from the earliest electrolyte measurements of the day for each patient where available. Patients were identified from the Newcastle SAH database. Fluid management was standardised. Descriptive and non-parametric statistics were used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The most common electrolyte imbalance was hypokalaemia. Patients were equally as likely to develop more severe hypokalaemia as they were to develop more severe hyponatraemia. Both imply that low potassium is of as much relevance as low sodium post-SAH. Individually there was no significant association between either sodium or potassium imbalance and WFNS grade.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Low K + is common with current management of a SAH at the Royal Victoria Infirmary.
authors.affiliation: a School of Medical Education, Newcastle University , Newcastle , UK ;
authors.forename: Inga
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: b Institute of Neuroscience , Newcastle University , Newcastle , UK.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mitchell
mesh_terms: D016208:Databases, Factual; D005260:Female; D005440:Fluid Therapy; D006801:Humans; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D007010:Hyponatremia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D007677:Kidney Function Tests; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood*; D013345:Subarachnoid Hemorrhage / Q000097:blood* / Q000628:therapy; D014883:Water-Electrolyte Imbalance / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium
keywords: Electrolyte; imbalance; potassium; sodium; subarachnoid haemorrhage