Measuring Potassium with a Single Drop of Blood from the Fingertip

Research Results from Severance Hospital Nephrology Team

Severance Hospital announced on January 27 that the research team led by Professors Park Chulho and Yoo Taehyun from the Department of Nephrology has proven the accuracy of a portable self-testing device that can measure blood potassium concentration within one minute using just a drop of blood from a fingertip.

The results of this study were published in the international journal 'Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.'

Hyperkalemia, a condition in which blood potassium levels are higher than normal, can cause fatal arrhythmias and cardiac arrest in patients with chronic kidney disease, making continuous monitoring essential.

Until now, potassium measurement required a hospital visit for venous blood sampling and analysis with large equipment, which was time-consuming. Unlike blood glucose meters, which diabetic patients can easily use at home, it has been technically challenging to measure potassium quickly and independently anytime and anywhere.

The research team used a device in the study that measures potassium levels within seconds by placing a small amount of capillary blood, obtained by lightly pricking the fingertip, onto a disposable test strip. The validity of this blood glucose meter-like device was confirmed in 40 patients undergoing hemodialysis for end-stage kidney disease.

The potassium levels measured from fingertip capillary blood showed excellent accuracy, being nearly identical to the venous blood values measured by large hospital analyzers. In addition, repeated measurements consistently maintained an error margin of less than 5%, confirming high reproducibility.

Potassium meter demonstration scene. Yonsei Medical Center

Professor Yoo Taehyun stated, "This opens the way for patients to check their potassium levels themselves at home, at work, or while traveling, without needing to visit the hospital," adding, "It is highly significant in that it enables early detection of hyperkalemia risk and the prevention of emergencies."

Professor Yoo also said, "This is the first time in the world that clinical reliability has been established for potassium measurement using only capillary blood, which has traditionally relied on venous blood tests as the absolute standard." He added, "As the number of chronic kidney disease patients is rapidly increasing due to aging and the rise in diabetes, this device is expected to become a highly useful tool for self-management among kidney patients."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.