Potassium replacement during cardiopulmonary bypass.

Sixty patients undergoing cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) with the Travenol 6 L. variflow oxygenator bag and total hemodilution with Ringer's lactate with 5 per cent dextrose were observed for their variances in potassium (K+) levels and the degree of potassium replacement. We have seen that the potassium level drops before CPB bypass in relation to the preadmission to the operating room potassium level. During bypass the level rises and following bypass it once again falls to be preceded by a rise after the first 24 hour postoperative period...