A SIMPLIFIED METHOD FOR SIMULTANEOUS ELECTROLYTE STUDIES IN MAN UTILIZING POTASSIUM-43

A method is presented which enables the exchangeable sodium, potassium and bromide space to be estimated entirely by gamma counting using sodium-24, potassium-43 and bromine-82. The potassium-43 is a cyclotron produced isotope with a 22-hr half-life. The principal gamma radiation is at 370 keV. Duplicate estimations on nine patients indicate that the error in the estimation in exchangeable sodium, exchangeable potassium and bromide space is 4·6, 2·78 and 2·14 per cent respectively. By using a dual channel automatic gamma counter the assay may be completed in a single counting run. This technique permits a more widespread application of these measurements in clinical research and diagnosis. © 1969.