Application of micro-injection pump in high concentration potassium chloride infusion in the aged with severe hypokalemia

Objective To research the safety and efficacy of high concentration potassium chloride infusion with micro-pump through central vein in aged patients with severe hypokalemia. Methods Forty-two elderly patients with severe hypokalemia were randomly divided into two groups: experimental group and control group.Patients in the experimental group were treated with micro-pump infusion of 6% KCl solution through central vein while the control group were treated with 0.3% KCl solution. Both groups were infused at the speed of 1-1.5 g/h KCl. Responses to the treatment in two groups were observed. Results When the potassium concentration rose to 3.0 mmol/L, patients in experimental group spent 3.95±2.57 h, and 4.05±1.88 g KCl,and 115±25 ml liquid was infused, compared with 7.23±4.45 h, 8.36±3.78 g, 2054±1250 ml in control group. To relieve the pernicious arrhythmia caused by hypokalemia,the experiment group spent 1.22±0.35 h, compared with 2.55±0.86 h in the control group. All of the above figures had statistic difference between the two groups (P0.05). However, to raise the blood potassium to 4.5 mmol/L, the two groups patients had been infused with KCl 35.5±12.3 g and 41.6±15.5 g respectively, with no statistical difference (P0.05). Conclusions In aged patients with severe hypokalemia, high concentration potassium chloride infusion with micro-pump through central vein was safe and effective.