Some electrolyte disturbances in mechanically ventilated patients

ABSTRACT

Serum sodium and potassium were measured using the flame photometry and serum phosphorus by the calorimetric method before, during, and after withdrawal of mechanical ventilation in 20 GOAD patients. Ten patients who were not in need of mechanical ventilation were taken as a control, serum sodium and potassium and phosphorus were also measured on admission and before discharge. It was found that serum sodium was statistically significantly higher during mechanical ventilation comparable with its level before mechanical ventilation [P < 0.01] and with its level after withdrawal of mechanical ventilation [P < 0.05]. Serum sodium level was also higher in the 10 control patients before discharge from the respisatory intensive care unit, when compared with its level on admission [P < 0.05]. Serum potassium and phosphorus levels were found to be lower during mechanical ventilation when compared with their level before mechanical ventilation P < 0.001. There was no statistically significant change in serum potassium nor phosphorus in the control group. We conclude that mechanical ventilation may be associated with hypernatremia, hypokalaemia, and hypophosphatemia, and so it is necessary to estimate serum electrolytes frequently to correct any changes early and to avoid complications