Effectiveness and safety of potassium replacement in critically ill patients: A retrospective cohort study

Abstract

Background Rules of thumb for potassium replacement are used in intensive care units despite minimal empirical validation. Objective To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of rule-of-thumb potassium replacement in critically ill patients with mild and moderate hypokalemia. Methods A retrospective, observational study was done of patients with mild (potassium, 3-3.9 mEq/L) and moderate (potassium, 2-2.9 mEq/L) hypokalemia admitted to a medical intensive care unit who received potassium replacement. Expected and actual frequencies of replacement that achieved target potassium concentrations (≥ 4 mEq/L) were compared by using a Χ2 test. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess whether rule-of-thumb administration affected the probability of target attainment within 24 hours of replacement. Results Serum potassium concentrations were checked within 24 hours after potassium replacement on 354 of 577 days (61.4%) when replacement was provided. Concentrations were within target range in 82 instances (23.2%). Of 62 episodes of replacement expected to achieve the target according to the rule-of-thumb estimation, 22 did (35%). Rule-of-thumb administration was associated with greater likelihood of target attainment (odds ratio, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.18-3.85; P = .01). This difference in likelihood remained significant after adjustment for covariates (odds ratio, 2.18; 95% CI, 1.04-4.56; P = .04). Conclusion In critically ill patients given potassium replacement without regard to a formal protocol, the target serum potassium concentration was achieved more often than expected according to the rule-of-thumb estimation but less than one-third of the time.