FREQUENCY OF DYSNATREMIA AND DYSKALEMIA IN CARDIAC SURGICAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency of dysnatremia and dyskalemiain cardiac surgical intensive care unit patients and to identify the factors associated with the changes in potassium and sodium levels.

Study design: Cross Sectional study.

Place and duration: Cardiac surgical intensive care unit (ICU) of Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology / National Institute of Heart Diseases (AFIC/NIHD) from July 2013 to November 2013.

Patients and Methods: Post-operative patients in cardiac surgical intensive care unit were selected through non probability convenient sampling. Demographic and clinical data was collected for all patients including: age, sex etc. Additionally, laboratory data such as potassium and sodium serum concentrations were recorded of day one of the first five post operative days.

Results: Out of 100 patients, 51% had dyskalemia, 33% had episodes of hypokalemia, and 19% had hyperkalemia. On the other hand 79% patients had dysnatremia, among them 71%had hyponatremia, and 8% had hypernatremia.

Conclusion: Dyskalemia and dysnatremia are common problems in cardiac surgical ICU with higher frequency of hyponatremia as compared to hypernatremia, and hypokalemia as compared to hyperkalemia