| Abstract: | Plasma, blood cell, and total body potassium levels were measuredserially in 21 patients receiving long-term diuretics for thetreatment of cardiac oedema and the results compared with similarmeasurements in 10 control subjects. Initially, all diureticrecipients received potassium chloride supplements. However,in 17 of the 21 subjects these were discontinued and measurementsof potassium status were repeated regularly thereafter. No significantfall in the measured indicators of potassium status were observedin the patients in whom potassium was withdrawn; however, inone subject with persistent cardiac failure who presented withhypokalaemia this was not corrected even after intensive potassiumsupplementation. It is concluded that for those taking a normaldiet who are free of any major gastro-intestinal disorder, routinepotassium supplementation is unnecessary, and might indeed occasionallyprove harmful. |
