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Is There a Need to Treat Hypokalaemia Associated with Intravenous Salbutamol Infusion?
Author(s) -
Chua S.,
Razvi K.,
Wong M. T.,
Tay R.,
Arulkumaran S.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
journal of obstetrics and gynaecology research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 50
eISSN - 1447-0756
pISSN - 1341-8076
DOI - 10.1111/j.1447-0756.1997.tb00862.x
Subject(s) - salbutamol , medicine , intravenous infusions , hypokalemia , insulin , anesthesia , intramuscular injection , potassium , endocrinology , chemistry , organic chemistry , asthma
Objectives : To investigate the evolution of metabolic effects associated with intravenous salbutamol infusion given together with 2 doses of intramuscular steroids in the treatment of preterm labour Methods : Preterm labour was inhibited with an intravenous infusion of salbutamol m 8 women between 26 and 32 +6 weeks with normal singleton pregnancies. Serum glucose concentration, serum potassium, sodium and insulin concentrations, and total white cell count both during the infusion as well as post‐therapy, were plotted against time. Results : Intravenous salbutamol infusion administered at a rate required to inhibit uterine contractions in preterm labour causes a rise in serum glucose and plasma insulin concentrations. The serum glucose and plasma insulin levels peaked soon after cessation of therapy and took 2–3 hours to come to pre‐infusion levels. The decline in serum potassium concentration was gradual and plateaued after 2 hours. Once the salbutamol infusion was stopped the potassium levels were back to normal by 2 hours. There is an increase in total white cell count within an hour of the initation of therapy. Conclusion : There is no need to administer insulin for hyperglycaemia and/or potassium for hypokalaemia unless the patient is a known diabetic or when a patient needs immediate surgery.