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Erythrocyte electrolyte abnormalities
M Sciarra1, F Cavaliere, S Bradariolo
1Universita' Cattolica del S. Cuore, Istituto di Anestesiologia e Rianimazione, Rome, Italy.
Critical Care Medicine
|November 1, 1987
Summary
Erythrocyte electrolyte levels, particularly magnesium, offer valuable clinical insights in ICU patients. Abnormal erythrocyte sodium concentrations correlate with conditions like respiratory failure, aiding in diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Chemistry
- Critical Care Medicine
- Hematology
Background:
- Erythrocyte electrolytes are easily determined compared to other cell types.
- Assessing plasma and erythrocyte electrolytes can provide clinical insights.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare Na, K, and Mg concentrations in plasma and erythrocytes of ICU patients.
- To evaluate the clinical usefulness of erythrocyte electrolyte measurements.
Main Methods:
- Measured Na, K, and Mg in plasma and erythrocytes of 100 ICU patients.
- Calculated predictive indices of electrolyte changes between plasma and erythrocytes.
Main Results:
- Predictive indices for plasma vs. erythrocyte electrolytes were generally low.
- Erythrocyte magnesium (Mg) assessment showed high frequency of abnormalities and stability against hemodilution/lipolysis.
- Erythrocyte potassium (K) was less frequently altered.
- Abnormally high erythrocyte sodium (Na) levels correlated with specific pathologies, notably respiratory failure.
Conclusions:
- Erythrocyte electrolyte measurements, especially Mg, offer clinical utility in ICU settings.
- Erythrocyte Mg is a reliable indicator, less influenced by acute clinical changes.
- Erythrocyte Na levels can serve as a biomarker for certain critical conditions like respiratory failure.