Original Research Article
Year: 2017 | Month: October | Volume: 7 | Issue: 10 | Pages: 87-92
Study of Serum Sodium and Potassium Levels in Patients with Acute Subarachnoid Haemorrhage
Dr. Rashmi RekhaPhukan1, Dr. Gorky Medhi2
1Assistant Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences, Central Referral Hospital, Gangtok -737102
2Assistant Professor, Department of Interventional Radiology, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences, Central Referral Hospital, Gangtok -737102
Corresponding Author: Dr. Rashmi RekhaPhukan
ABSTRACT
Aim: The aim the study was to evaluate the serum sodium and potassium levels in patients presenting with acute subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) as compared to controls.
Materials & Methods: It is a single institutional cross-sectional study which includes 30 patients and 50 healthy controls. Serum Na+ and K+ levels of patients presenting with acute sub arachnoid haemorrhage (< 2 wks duration) were compared with Na+ and K+ levels of apparently healthy controls. Data collected were analysed by Microsoft excel software using unpaired t test.
Results: The serum sodium and potassium values in the SAH group were found to be significantly lower than the controls with P values of 0.0034 and < 0.0001 respectively. 40% of SAH patients developed hypokalemia and 26.7% of SAH patients developed hyponatremia. Hypernatremia was seen in 6.6% of patients. None of the patients developed hyperkalemia.
Conclusion: SAH patients are susceptible to develop hyponatremia and hypokalemia which can lead to serious medical complications. Continuous monitoring, early detection of serum electrolytes and prompt correction is essential to decrease the morbidity and duration of hospital stay of these patients.
Key words: subarachnoid haemorrhage; aneurysm; hyponatremia; hypokalemia