The Relationship between Ht and Erythrocyte Potassium Concentration in Patients on Regular Hemodialysis

Abstract

Plasma and erythrocyte potassium (K) concentrations were measured in uremics on 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.

Investigation of the Correlation between Total Blood Potassium Concentration and Hematocrit

“…Potassium is the most representative in tracellular cation, and it is well established that its whole blood concentration (Kt) is related to the red cell count [1], In our pre vious works [2,3] an inverse linear rela tionship between erythrocyte potassium concentration (Kc) and hematocrit (Ht) was found, when the data of both healthy and anemic patients were considered simultane ously. This linear correlation is independent of plasma potassium level (Kp), hemoglobin concentration and reticulocyte count.…”

“…It has previously been shown [2,3] that an inverse linear relationship between Kc and Ht exists, a decrease in Ht being par tially compensated by elevation of the eryth rocyte K concentration. This suggests that the relationship between Kt and Ht is not linear.…”

“…This linear correlation is independent of plasma potassium level (Kp), hemoglobin concentration and reticulocyte count. This relationship is represented by equation 1 [2]:…”

The Determination of Whole Blood Magnesium Concentration in Uremics on Chronic Dialysis

“…While the whole blood potassium concentration can be accurately predicted from the subject's Ht value, the plas matic potassium concentration being small compared to the whole blood potassium concentration, as shown in our previous investigation [2,3], the range of MgP. especially in dialyzed patients, can significantly affect the magnitude of MgT, and this, therefore, can be correctly calculated by the formula which expresses MgT in terms of MgP and Ht.…”

“…For this purpose, the same procedure used for the investigation between whole blood potassium concentration and Ht [2][3][4] has been followed. By com bining the formula concerning the inverse correlation be tween MgC and Ht [I]: MgC = a -bHt (I) and the standard one [5]:…”