Abstract
Acute acidosis can increase the plasma potassium concentration. However, data on the effects of acute respiratory acidosis on plasma potassium concentration are conflicting. This study aimed to determine whether acute respiratory acidosis induces an immediate increase in plasma potassium concentration. This observational study was conducted on participants undergoing apnoea testing prior to final radiological examination, registered in an internal quality registry at Oslo University Hospital between 25 April 2013 and 1 May 2020. A total of 124 donors were assessed for inclusion. Sixteen donors with blood glucose concentrations exceeding 10mmolL-1 were excluded; finally, data from 108 donors were included in the study. The apnoea test, which is a standard neurological test performed in potential organ donors prior to radiological confirmation of ceased brain circulation, induces respiratory acidosis. The arterial plasma potassium concentration, pH and PaCO2 before and after the apnoea test were compared. Statistical analysis was conducted using the paired t test. The pre-apnoea and post-apnoea mean plasma potassium concentrations were 3.79 (95% confidence intervals [CI] 3.70-3.87) and 3.79mmolL-1 (95% CI 3.70-3.88), respectively. The mean difference was -0.002mmolL-1 (95% CI -0.04 to 0.04); the difference was not significant. The pre-apnoea and post-apnoea mean pH were 7.39 and 7.21, respectively, and the mean difference was 0.175 (P<.01). The pre-apnoea and post-apnoea mean PaCO2 were 5.66 and 9.48kPa, respectively, and the mean difference was -3.83 (P<.01). Acute respiratory acidosis does not lead to rapid changes in plasma potassium concentration during apnoea testing in potential organ donors.
Highlights
Potassium (K) is crucial for normal cellular function, and changes in K concentration [K] may cause organ failure and even death
Editorial Comment This study demonstrates that plasma potassium does not appear to change rapidly with rapid significant variation in PaCO2 and that short-term respiratory acidosis does not appear to cause large changes in potassium homeostasis
No neurologic response was observed in any potential donor during the clinical testing, and ceased brain circulation was confirmed by the radiological examination
Summary
Acute acidosis can increase the plasma potassium concentration. data on the effects of acute respiratory acidosis on plasma potassium concentration are conflicting. This study aimed to determine whether acute respiratory acidosis induces an immediate increase in plasma potassium concentration. The apnoea test, which is a standard neurological test performed in potential organ donors prior to radiological confirmation of ceased brain circulation, induces respiratory acidosis. Results: The pre-apnoea and post-apnoea mean plasma potassium concentrations were 3.79 (95% confidence intervals [CI] 3.70–3.87) and 3.79 mmol L−1 (95% CI 3.70– 3.88), respectively. The pre-apnoea and post-apnoea mean pH were 7.39 and 7.21, respectively, and the mean difference was 0.175 (P < .01). The pre- apnoea and post-apnoea mean PaCO2 were 5.66 and 9.48 kPa, respectively, and the mean difference was −3.83 (P < .01). Conclusions: Acute respiratory acidosis does not lead to rapid changes in plasma potassium concentration during apnoea testing in potential organ donors
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
