Body-Fluid Physiology: The Role of Potassium in Clinical Disturbances of Body Water and Electrolyte

Abstract

Hyperkaliemia causing symptoms is practically confined to patients with renal failure, advanced dehydration or shock. High serum potassium accompanied by high intracellular potassium occurs in adrenal insufficiency. The development is probably confined to advanced stages, when deficits of water are superimposed on deficiency of sodium.^{62 , 63} Although potassium is known to be unusually toxic to patients with adrenal insufficiency, the disturbances are not due simply to excess of potassium.⁶⁴ Heart failure and other disturbances caused chiefly by hyperkaliemia are seen in renal failure,^{65 66 67 68 69} marked dehydration and shock.52–61^{62 63 64} Potassium intoxication can be produced by injudicious parenteral injections of potassium salts, but it . . .