Total body and serum electrolyte composition in heart failure: the effects of captopril

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Abstract
We compared the long-term effects of captopril and placebo on patients with heart failure in a double blind crossover fashion. Serum and total body elecrolytes were measured and the response to 6 week periods of treatment with captopril determined. During the placebo phase of the study, total body potassium was low at 92±14% of predicted normal (P−1) total body potassium was even more markedly deplete (85+13% of predicted normal). This group was also characterized by lower serum potassium and sodium concentrations and lower blood pressure. Total body potassium increased significantly on captopril, and the rise was greatest in those with the highest plasma renin concentrations during the placebo phase of the study. However, captopril had no significant effect on total body sodium and chlorine or weight indicating that no long-term natriuresis had occurred.