Continuous Intravascular Monitoring of Epinephrine-induced Changes in Plasma Potassium

Ion-selective electrode catheters were used for continuous monitoring of epinephrine-induced changes in plasma potassium in different parts of the circulation of anesthetized greyhounds. Bolus injections and continuous infusions of epinephrine produced dose-related changes consisting of an initial transient increase followed by a decrease to levels below control. The latter part of the response was relatively short-lived in the case of bolus injections, but when the epinephrine was administered by continuous infusion, a progressive fall was maintained for the duration of the infusion. During the period when potassium levels were undergoing an acute change, marked differences were seen between concentrations in different parts of the circulation. Further studies are needed to delineate the incidence and extent of similar changes in humans, and their significance in producing dangerous dysrhythmias.