Abstract
Summary
In dogs with bilateral adrenal-ectomy loaded with K by infusion of 2 mEq KCl/kg/hr there is a marked increase of cardiac sensitivity to hyperkalemia. Typical ECG changes begin at lower serum K levels (5-6 mEq/1) and the prelethal arrhythmias that signal the imminent onset of fatal ventricular fibrillation or asystole appear when mean serum K is 7.6 mEq/1, 2.9 mEq/1 above the average pre-infusion level. In control dogs, ECG changes start above 8 mEq K/liter, and prelethal arrhythmias appear between 9.5 and 10.2 mEq/1, a mean increase of 5.6 mEq/1 above the average preinfusion level.
We wish to acknowledge our thanks to Mr. George Bonorris for the statistical analyses and Ms Eleanor Chapman for the chemical determinations.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.