Effect of potassium concentration in dialysate on total body potassium

Abstract Objective: To investigate the effects of the presence/absence of potassium in the dialysate on total body potassium content in stable hemodialysis patients. Design: Randomized selection. Setting: Outpatient chronic hemodialysis unit at the James A. Haley VA Hospital in Tampa, Florida. Patients: Six adult hemodialysis patients (mean age 48 ± 11.61 years, range 32–65 years) participated in this study. They were all males, four African-Americans and two Caucasians. Intervention: Subjects in a random order received dialysis using a dialysate containing no potassium for 3 months, followed by a 2 mEq/L of potassium for another 3 months. Total body potassium measurements and routine blood analysis were taken at baseline and after each three month period. All subjects received diet instruction pre and monthly on a 3 g/day potassium dietary restriction. Main outcome measured: There were no significant differences in the amount of total body potassium concentration between the two different dialysates containing 0 or 2 mEq/L potassium. Mean values of serum albumin were significantly higher when the subjects were dialyzed on a 0 potassium bath. Conclusion: The use of dialysate containing 0 or 2 mEq/L potassium concentration does not make a significant difference with regard to total body potassium concentration and maybe advantageous for the patients in terms of more freedom in nutritional intake as demonstrated by a significant increase in serum albumin when they were dialyzed on a 0 potassium bath.