April 9, 2020

Electrolyte Imbalances in Patients with Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)

Category: Article Summary

Topic: Clinical Characteristics and Health Care Setting

• This study reports on various electrolyte abnormalities in patients at admission who progressed to the severe form of COVID-19. Lippi et al compared electrolyte (sodium, potassium, chloride, and calcium) levels between COVID-19 patients with and without severe disease, and found that severity may be associated with lower serum concentrations of sodium, potassium and calcium. 
•  These findings, in particular hypokalemia (low potassium) could have important clinical implications for physicians managing COVID-19 patients, and may also provide a clue on the pathogenetic mechanisms underlying COVID-19. 

Lippi et al. (April 6, 2020). Electrolyte Imbalances in Patients with Severe Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). Annals of Clinical Chemistry. https://doi.org/10.1177/0004563220922255