Spironolactone in preventing hypokalemia following traumatic brain injury.

Abstract Objective Hypokalemia is a frequent complication observed after traumatic brain injury (TBI). We evaluated the effect of spironolactone on preventing hypokalemia following moderate to severe TBI. Methods Patients with moderate to severe TBI, whose Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores of 9-12 and + ) and other electrolyte abnormalities were compared between the two groups at the end of the intervention. Results Sixty-eight patients (58 males and 10 females) were included with mean age=(33.1±11.8) y ears, and GCS=7.6 ±2.8. The two groups were similar in baseline characteristics. Patients who received spironolactone were significantly less likely to experience mild, moderate, or severe hypokalemia (8.8%, 2.9%, and 0) compared with controls (29.4%, 11.7%, and 2.9%, respectively, P Conclusion Spironolactone within the first week of head injury could prevent the occurrence of late hypokalemia with no severe side effects.