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The effect of hyperpotassemia on the idioventricular pacemaker in complete A-V heart block and comparison with its effect on the heart rate in normal sinus rhythm

1961; Elsevier BV; Volume: 7; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/0002-9149(61)90400-3

1879-1913

Otto Müller, Antonio C. deLeon, Samuel Bellet,

Potassium and Related Disorders

Data are presented relative to the effects of varying degrees of hyperpotassemia on the atrial and ventricular rates in the presence of normal sinus rhythm and with complete A-V heart block. In the initial or moderately advanced stages of hyperpotassemia with serum levels up to 9.2 mEq./L. there is only a slight change in the atrial and ventricular rates in the presence of normal sinus rhythm. However, in the presence of complete A-V heart block the ventricular rate shows a decrease of 51 per cent (± 3.61 per cent) from the control rate with serum potassium levels up to 7.75 mEq./L. (± 0.22 mEq./L.). The possible relationship between these elevated serum potassium levels and the occurrence of Stokes-Adams seizures in patients with complete A-V heart block is discussed.