Comparing the Effect of Insulin Infusion Alone and in Combination of Insulin Infusion with Salbutamol Nebulization in Treatment of Hyperkalemia in Diabetic and Non-Diabetic Patients

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and comparison of potassium lowering effect of insulin infusion alone and insulin infusion with salbutamol nebulization. Methods: This interventional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital, for a period of one year. A total of 190 patients with hyperkalemia were divided into two groups. Group-A (diabetic [D] and non-diabetic [ND] patients) received salbutamol 20 mg three times daily (TDS) (nebulizer 5mg/2.5mL) administered over a period of 15 minutes with 10 units of regular insulin (diluted with 25% dextrose in non-diabetic only) over 30 minute TDS via infusion. Group-B (diabetic and non-diabetic patients) received 10 units of regular insulin (diluted with 25% dextrose in non-diabetic patients only) administered over 30 minute TDS via infusion. Potassium and glucose level was measured in patient blood sample after 0, 6, 12 and 24 hrs of treatment. Results: The potassium level was decreased by 30.09% (D) and 31.98% (ND) in Group-A, whereas by 31.98% (D) and 20.49% (ND) in Group-B, after 24 hrs. Whereas blood glucose level in diabetic patients of Group-A and Group-B was found to decrease up to 28.85 % and 40.78 % respectively after 6 hours. Both the treatments were found to be effective without any complication i.e. hypoglycaemia and hypokalaemia. Moreover, renal, liver, cardiac and respiratory function test also did not show significant changes after treatments when recorded bihourly. Conclusion: From the results, salbutamol nebulizer with insulin is more effective in the treatment of hyperkalemia in diabetic and non-diabetic patients.