The relationship between Ht and erythrocyte potassium concentration in patients on regular hemodialysis

Plasma and erythrocyte potassium (K) concentrations were measured in uremics of chronic dialysis and in a control group composed of healthy persons and of patients with anemia due to causes other than renal failure. The behavior of the erythrocyte K content in uremics did not differ from that of the control group and in both cases a close inverse relationship was present between hematocrit and erythrocyte K concentration, irrespective of its plasma level. These findings suggest that the red blood cell count, rather than renal failure, may affect the erythrocyte K content.