ISSN:
1432-1041
Keywords:
Chlorthalidone
;
spironolactone
;
hypertension
;
potassium deficiency
;
diuretic
;
Kühns' test
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Chemistry and Pharmacology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Summary Kühns' oral test for potassium deficiency (KDT) has been used to evaluate potassium balance after treatment with diuretics. The test was first standardised in 23 patients, both with and without known potassium deficiency. Subsequently, 18 patients with essential hypertension were investigated before and after the use of 3 different diuretics, each for a period of 6 weeks; all patients received all three forms of treatment but in different sequence. Before treatment the patients excreted an average of 121 mEq potassium a day in urine after oral administration of potassium 127 mEq (citrate). After treatment with chlorthalidone (Hygroton®), 50 mg a day, the excretion of potassium decreased significantly to 83 mEq, suggesting an intracellular deficit of it. Treatment with chlorthalidone 50 mg and potassium chloride 2 g daily (Hygroton — K®), led to potassium excretion of 100 mEq after loading, which was distinctly, but not significantly, larger than in the period of treatment with chlorthalidone alone. After chlorthalidone 50 mg daily and spironolactone (Aldactone “Searle”®), 25 mg q. i. d., the excretion of potassium was 121 mEq, which was the same as before treatment. The mean serum potassium before treatment was 4.4 mEq/l, after chlorthalidone 3.8 mEq/l, after chlorthalidone plus potassium chloride 3.9 mEq/l, after chlorthalidone combined with spironolactone 3.9 mEq/l. The results were in agreement with previously published investigations of “exchangeable potassium” after similar treatments. As the test for potassium deficiency gave better information about the amount of intracellular potassium in the body than analysis of serum potassium, it is suitable for the evaluation of potassium deficiency associated with diuretic therapy.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00560351
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