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Potassium Supplementation in the Treatment of Ventricular Arrhythmias

1981; Wiley; Volume: 209; Issue: S647 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1111/j.0954-6820.1981.tb02644.x

0001-6101

Edward Rowland, D M Krikler,

Ion channel regulation and function

Abstract Potassium has a fundamental role in the regulation of the action potential in both myocardial and specialized cardiac cells. The frequency and diversity of ventricular arrhythmia associated with hypokalemia suggests that potassium also plays a crucial part in the genesis of many cardiac arrhythmias. In addition, the presence of potassium in adequate amounts is required for the effective action of many antiarrhythmic agents. While more information on the mechanism of ventricular arrhythmias in the human is required, as well as observing local biochemical status in the myocardium, it would appear that maintaining the serum potassium towards the upper limit of the normal range offers a logical adjunct to the drug treatment of ventricular arrhythmias.