Intravasal use of pliable K(+)-selective electrodes in the femoral vein of humans during exercise.

Continuous recording of plasma K+ concentration ([K+]) during exercise would be valuable in determining K+ fluxes associated with muscle activation. Pliable polyvinyl chloride electrodes were constructed by incorporation of valinomycin into a polyvinyl chloride membrane attached to the end of a catheter with a 1 mm outer diameter. Through an outer catheter the electrode was inserted into the femoral vein of human subjects. The setup allowed easy in vivo calibration, and rapid changes of femoral venous [K+] of < 0.1 mmol/l could easily be detected. Drift over 1 h amounted to < 3 mV and was corrected for by analysis of blood samples. Rapid changes in femoral venous [K+] occurred during and after dynamic exercise, short and prolonged isometric contractions, and repetitive isometric contractions of the quadriceps muscle. Combined with arterial blood sampling and flow measurements, the electrodes will allow good approximation of 1) cellular K+ efflux rate associated with increased electrical activity, 2) rate of intramuscular reuptake of K+ mediated by the Na(+)-K+ pump, and 3) rate of K+ loss to or uptake from the circulation by the muscle.