The mode of therapy of metabolic alkalosis associated with azotemia has not been defined even though the importance of potassium in the treatment of alkalosis is well known. Observations made in 12 patients with metabolic alkalosis associated with azotemia that was treated with large doses of potassium are reported.
Group I, five patients with pyloric obstruction due to vomiting showed on admission the following findings:
Blood urea nitrogen, 63 to 132 mg/100 ml
Arterial:
pH, 7:51 to 7.72
Carbon dioxide content, 34 to 63 mM/liter
Potassium, 1.9 to 4.2 mEq/liter
Sodium, 111 to 140 mEq/liter
Chloride, 44 to 74 mEq/liter