Hypokalemia

Abstract

Low concentration of potassium in the blood serum, apparently, is the most common electrolyte imbalance in clinical practice. If hypokalemia is understood as a condition in which the potassium content in the blood is below 3.6 mmol/l, then the violation is detected in more than 20% of hospitalized patients. In most of these patients, the concentration of potassium in the blood serum is in the range of 3.0–3.5 mmol/l, but approximately 25% of them have this value below 3.0 mmol/l. There are no comparable data for outpatient patients, although a low concentration of potassium in the blood serum is determined in 10-40% of patients taking thiazide diuretics. People who are otherwise healthy usually tolerate hypokalemia well, but with a pronounced degree it can be life-threatening. Even mild or moderate hypokalemia increases the risk of morbidity and mortality in patients with cardiovascular diseases. In this regard, when hyperkalemia is detected, its cause should be determined and treatment should be carried out to eliminate it.