Electroenterogram manifestations and significance in hypokalemia.

Objective: To study the electroenterogram manifestations and their significance in patients with hypokalemia.
Methods: Electroenterogram was recorded in 20 normal control subjects and 24 patients with hypokalemia using computerized electrogastroenterography.
Results: The frequencies and amplitudes of the electroenterogram in patients with hypokalemia were significantly lower than those in the normal control subjects (P<0.05), and the frequencies, amplitudes and their coefficients of variation varied significantly in patients with hypokalemia before / after treatment (P<0.001).
Conclusion: Electroenterogram may serve as an objective means for evaluating the therapeutic effect and estimating intestinal motility of patients with hypokalemia, with also important value in predicting and diagnosing hypokalemic intestinal paralysis.