الفهرس 
Electrolyte homeostasisOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Electrolytes such as potassium, magnesium, calcium and phosphate play important roles in the regulation of cardiac cells potentials.
Electrolyte abnormalities are commonly associated with cardiovascular emergencies. These abnormalities may cause or contribute to cardiac arrest and may hinder resuscitative efforts. It is important to identify clinical situations in which electrolyte problems may be expected. In this situations therapy for life threatening electrolyte disorders should be initiated even before laboratory results become available.
Multiple mechanisms may be involved in electrolyte abnormalities in adult patients in the intensive care unit, including altered absorption and distribution; excessive or inadequate administration; alterations in hormonal, neurologic, and homeostatic mechanisms; or altered excretion via gastrointestinal and renal losses, as well as changes in fluid status and fluid shifts.
Excessive losses should be corrected by administering the appropriate replacement therapy .Clinicians should always consider the possibility of laboratory errors, sampling errors, or blood sample hemolysis before initiating therapy, especially when the patient is asymptomatic and electrolytes were previously normal with little or no change in therapies or clinical condition. If an error is suspected, repeated analysis should be done before treatment. Very close attention must be given to renal function in all patients before correcting any electrolyte imbalance.
It is important to the intensivist early detection and management of life threatening electrolyte disorders as this considered a life saving for the patient.