Introduction: A saline rather than a dextrose potassium (K+) containing solution recommended for therapy of hypokalemia. We compared isotonic saline (N/S), half-saline (H/S) and isotonic dextrose (D/W) solutions for potassium repletion in moderate to severe hypokalemic rats.
Methods: Moderate hypokalemia (1-1/5meq/L decrease in serum K+ level in comparison to baseline levels in 23 rats) induced with 3 doses furosemide administration (100mg/kg i.p) & Severe hypokalemia (>1.5meq/L decrease in serum K+ level in comparison to baseline levels in 10 rats)induced with 2-3 doses furosemide administration (150-200 mg/kg i.p). Potassium (60meq/L in moderate and 100meq/L in severe groups) was infused in 1cc/hour N/S, H/S and D/W for 6 hours.
Results: Serum potassium level was not decreased in any group during potassium infusion. The urine K+ level was not different between groups. In moderate hypokalemia: 1-4 of 9 rats in N/S group and 2 of 7 rats in H/S and D/W groups was deceased. 2- The serum potassium level was reached to baseline level between t=1.5h & t=3.0h. 3- Mean final serum potassium at t=6h was 0.85meq/L in N/S, 1.27meq/L in H/S and 0.38meq/L in D/W groups greater than baseline level. In severe hypokalemia: 1- The serum potassium level was reached to baseline level at first three hours. 2- Mean final serum potassium at t=6h was 2.2meq/L in H/S and 0.86meq/L in D/W groups greater than baseline level. 3- The highest K+ level was greater than 5meq/L in H/S group in four rats (t=4.5h) two of them deceased. The highest K+ level was 5.5meq/L in D/W group; none of 5 rats in this group was deceased.
Conclusion: Serum potassium level was not decreased in D/W group. Regarding the same K+ infusion amount and higher serum level of K+ in N/S and H/S groups, the cellular k+ repletion was probably better in D/W group with a trend to lower mortality.