Prediction of hyperkalemia associated with prolonged treatment with captopril by glucose-induced acute serum potassium changes.

Abstract

The effect on potassium levels of short-term (5-10 days) and "prolonged" (4 weeks) captopril therapy were compared. No consistent changes during short-term treatment were found and the elevations in serum potassium associated with prolonged treatment could not be predicted on the basis of short-term changes. However, a definite correlation was found between glucose-induced serum potassium alterations (in the course of glucose tolerance test) during short-term captopril administration and elevations in baseline serum potassium during prolonged treatment In the patients with glucose-induced paradoxical serum potassium elevations, baseline serum potassium levels increased more markedly during prolonged captopril therapy than in patients with the opposite glucose-induced changes.