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NDT Advance Access originally published online on August 25, 2007
Nephrology Dialysis Transplantation 2008 23(1):359-363; doi:10.1093/ndt/gfm571
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© The Author [2007]. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of ERA-EDTA. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org


Incidence and severity of early electrolyte abnormalities following autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation

David Philibert1, Simon Desmeules1, Alain Filion2, Mireille Poirier3 and Mohsen Agharazii1

1Division of Nephrology and 2Hematology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Hôtel-Dieu de Québec Hospital, Department of Medicine, Laval University, and 3Department of Pharmacy, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Hôtel-Dieu de Québec Hospital, Québec, Canada

Correspondence to: Mohsen Agharazii, MD, Centre de Recherche de l'Hôtel Dieu de Québec, CHUQ-Hôtel-Dieu de Québec, 11, côte du Palais,Quebec City, QC,G1R 2J6, Canada. Email: mohsen.agharazii{at}crhdq.ulaval.ca



  Abstract

Background. Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has gained worldwide acceptance as a therapeutic option for many haematological and non-haematological conditions. Local experience supports that electrolyte abnormalities are quite common; however, the incidence and timing of these abnormalities are unknown.

Method. We conducted a retrospective descriptive study of 48 consecutive adult patients in order to study the incidence and the timing of electrolyte abnormalities following autologous HSCT. Clinical and pharmacological data were collected by the review of patient charts. Potassium, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus and albumin levels were retrieved from the laboratory.

Results. HSCT was performed for multiple myeloma (28/48), lymphoma (8/48), Hodgkin disease (4/48), amyloidosis (4/48) and other neoplasia (4/48). At baseline, 21% of patients (10/48) had low electrolyte levels. Following autologous HSCT, hypokalaemia occurred in 81% (39/48), hypomagnesaemia in 67% (32/48), hypocalcaemia in 49% (17/35) and hypophosphataemia in 91% (39/43) of the patients. The nadir of the electrolyte levels occurred between day 8 and 10 after stem cell transplant while the engraftment occurred at day 11.6 ± 0.6. The use of amphotericin B and furosemide was associated with more pronounced hypokalaemia and hypomagnesaemia. Hypocalcaemia was more pronounced in patients with multiple myeloma. High levels of electrolytes occurred in only 25% of the patients, none of which required specific treatment.

Conclusion. We conclude that low electrolyte levels are extremely common after HSCT and the pathophysiology of these abnormalities are complex and multifactorial.

Keywords: electrolyte abnormalities; haematopoietic stem cell transplant; hypocalcaemia; hypokalaemia; hypomagnesaemia; hypophosphataemia

Received for publication: 17. 1.07
Accepted in revised form: 26. 7.07


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