Interní Med. 2006; 8(9): 385-388

Hypokalemia

doc. MUDr. Romana Ryšavá CSc

Klinika nefrologie 1. LF UK a VFN, Praha

Hypokalemia is one of the most frequent ion disorders in internal medicine and if recognised late it might have lethal consequences because of malignant arrhythmia. There is a number of congenital disorders leading to hypokalemia (endocrine disease-primary hyperaldosteronism, Cushing’s syndrome/disease, renal tubular disorders-Bartter’s, Giteman’s, Gordon’s syndrome etc.) that constitute of only about 1% of all cases of hypokalemia. In most cases it is an acquired state that is frequently iatrogenic, caused by therapy (diuretics). As hypokalemia we consider levels of potassium below 3,5 mmol/l; life threatening are levels below 1,5 mmol/l that require urgent treatment. A correct and through history can significantly help differential diagnosis. Together with the examination of serum level of potassium it is necessary to examine acid base balance, level of sodium, magnesium and excretion of potassium in urine. Therapeutic correction of hypokalemia depends on its cause and the time of its evolution.

Keywords: Key words: hypokalemia, acidosis, alkalosis, potassium excretion in urine, potassium supplementation, potassium chloride.

Published: March 1, 2007  Show citation