ELECTROLYTE CONTENT OF EXTRACELLULAR FLUID IN HEALTH AND IN CONGESTIVE HEART FAILURE

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Abstract
Serum from 157 healthy subjects of both sexes was analysed for sodium, potassium, and chloride. Much the same values were noted as previously reported for normal subjects by Wootton and King. Average values found were sodium 138 mEq/1, potassium 4.3 mEq/1, and chloride 106 mEq/1. Serum was also analysed in 4 healthy subjects, 2 men and 2 women, at approximately daily intervals for about 2 weeks. In all 4, variability of sodium, potassium, and chloride over this period was less than for the group of 157 healthy subjects. The average coefficients of variation were sodium 0.95%, potassium 6.8%, chloride 1.7%. For the group of 157 healthy subjects the coefficients of variation were 2.1, 10.3, and 2.5% respectively. Serum was analysed for sodium, potassium, and chloride on admission in 73 patients in congestive heart failure, and 3 times each week while in hospital. Levels of all 3 electrolytes were frequently abnormal, sodium and chloride tending to be low, potassium to be raised. These levels were also found to be less steady in most of the patients in congestive heart failure than in the healthy subjects. Greatest variability was found most often in patients in severe congestive heart failure, least variability in those responding quickly or moderately quickly to treatment. It was noted, also, that the lower level of sodium attained during an episode of congestive heart failure, the greater was the fluctuation in serum levels.