Severe electrolyte disorders following cardiac surgery: a prospective controlled observational study

Table 2 Electrolyte levels at intensive care unit admission

Parameter	Group 1	Group 2	P
Magnesium
Number of patients treated with magnesium before ICU admission	76% (n = 380)	2% (n = 5)	P < 0.001
Magnesium levels (mmol/l)	0.62 ± 0.24	0.95 ± 0.27	P < 0.001
Magnesium levels in patients without magnesium supplementation during surgery (mmol/l)	0.47 ± 0.16	0.95 ± 0.26	P < 0.001
Patients with hypomagnesaemia	46% (n = 228)	16% (n = 40)	P < 0.001
Patients with hypomagnesaemia in group with no magnesium supplementation	80% (n = 96)	1% (n = 3)	P < 0.001
Phosphate
Phosphate levels (mmol/l)	0.43 ± 0.22	0.92 ± 0.32	P < 0.001
Patients with hypophosphataemia	83% (n = 415)	12% (n = 29)	P < 0.001
Potassium
Potassium supplementation during surgery (mmol/hour)	10.1 ± 4.7	1.3 ± 1.0	P < 0.001
Potassium levels (mmol/l)	3.6 ± 0.70	3.9 ± 0.63	P < 0.01
Patients with hypokalaemia	34% (n = 170)	12% (n = 29)	P < 0.001
Calcium
Calcium levels^a (mmol/l)	1.96 ± 0.41	2.12 ± 0.33	P < 0.01
Patients with hypocalcaemia^a	7.8% (n = 39)	5.6% (n = 15)	P < 0.01
Sodium
Sodium levels (mmol/l)	134 ± 8	141 ± 9	P < 0.01
Patients with hyponatraemia	6% (n = 31)	5% (n = 12)	NS

^aCorrected to serum albumin levels of 4 g/dl. Where applicable, values expressed as mean ± standard error. ICU, intensive care unit; NS, not significant.

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