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Potassium Chloride for Hypotension

As the main electrolyte inside the body's cells, potassium is essential to the proper functioning of the cardiovascular and neuromuscular systems. Certain cases of hypotension, or low blood pressure, require potassium salts, such as potassium chloride, for effective treatment.

  1. Description and Causes of Hypotension

    • The term hypotension refers to a blood pressure that is too low to provide adequate blood flow to the body's organs. Frequent causes include: heart disease, certain medications, blood volume reduction and electrolyte (ion) imbalance.

    Potassium Description

    • Potassium is an electrolyte, that is, an electrically charged ion found in the blood and bodily fluids. According to Medscape, blood levels normally range from 3.5 to 5 mEq/L (milli-equivalents per liter), with total body potassium reserves of about 50 mEq/kg (milli-equivalents per kilogram of body weight).

    Hypotensive Effects of Hypokalemia

    • Low blood potassium (hypokalemia) can cause hypotension. Medscape defines hypokalemia as a blood potassium level lower than 3.5 mEq/L. Moderate hypokalemia is a blood level of 2.5 to 3 mEq/L, while severe hypokalemia refers to a blood potassium level lower than 2.5 mEq/L.

    Potassium Replacement Therapy

    • When the cause of hypotension is hypokalemia, potassium chloride is the salt of choice for treatment. This, according to Rx Med, is because low blood potassium is usually associated with low chloride levels. However, in rare cases, other salts may be preferable.

    Potassium Chloride Formulations

    • Potassium chloride is available in liquid, powder or tablet form. Medscape indicates that oral potassium chloride is generally sufficient for patients with mild hypokalemia, while those with severe hypokalemia require both intravenous and oral solutions.

    Considerations

    • Along with hypotension, severe hypokalemia can cause heart rate disturbances, lethargy, muscle weakness, cardiac arrest and respiratory failure. On the other hand, excessive dosages of potassium chloride during treatment can elevate the risk of cardiac complications.

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