Biomaterial Database

Cardiac arrhythmias following acute myocardial infarction: associations with the serum potassium level and prior diuretic therapy. 1984

W D Cooper, and P Kuan, and S R Reuben, and M J VandenBurg

The relationship between the initial serum potassium level and the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias following myocardial infarction has been reviewed in a coronary care unit setting. The incidence of arrhythmias in general, and ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia and frequent ventricular ectopic beats in particular, were inversely related to the initial serum potassium level. Hyperkalaemia was also significantly associated with ventricular fibrillation and ventricular tachycardia. Hypokalaemia was significantly more common in patients previously treated with diuretics, though most patients with hypokalaemia had not been so treated. The occurrence of an acute hypokalaemic syndrome, independent of, but exacerbated by, diuretic therapy, is further supported by these results.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D007008	Hypokalemia	Abnormally low potassium concentration in the blood. It may result from potassium loss by renal secretion or by the gastrointestinal route, as by vomiting or diarrhea. It may be manifested clinically by neuromuscular disorders ranging from weakness to paralysis, by electrocardiographic abnormalities (depression of the T wave and elevation of the U wave), by renal disease, and by gastrointestinal disorders. (Dorland, 27th ed)	Hypopotassemia,Hypokalemias,Hypopotassemias
D008297	Male		Males
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D009203	Myocardial Infarction	NECROSIS of the MYOCARDIUM caused by an obstruction of the blood supply to the heart (CORONARY CIRCULATION).	Cardiovascular Stroke,Heart Attack,Myocardial Infarct,Cardiovascular Strokes,Heart Attacks,Infarct, Myocardial,Infarction, Myocardial,Infarctions, Myocardial,Infarcts, Myocardial,Myocardial Infarctions,Myocardial Infarcts,Stroke, Cardiovascular,Strokes, Cardiovascular
D011188	Potassium	An element in the alkali group of metals with an atomic symbol K, atomic number 19, and atomic weight 39.10. It is the chief cation in the intracellular fluid of muscle and other cells. Potassium ion is a strong electrolyte that plays a significant role in the regulation of fluid volume and maintenance of the WATER-ELECTROLYTE BALANCE.
D004232	Diuretics	Agents that promote the excretion of urine through their effects on kidney function.	Diuretic,Diuretic Effect,Diuretic Effects,Effect, Diuretic,Effects, Diuretic
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D006947	Hyperkalemia	Abnormally high potassium concentration in the blood, most often due to defective renal excretion. It is characterized clinically by electrocardiographic abnormalities (elevated T waves and depressed P waves, and eventually by atrial asystole). In severe cases, weakness and flaccid paralysis may occur. (Dorland, 27th ed)	Hyperpotassemia,Hyperkalemias,Hyperpotassemias
D001145	Arrhythmias, Cardiac	Any disturbances of the normal rhythmic beating of the heart or MYOCARDIAL CONTRACTION. Cardiac arrhythmias can be classified by the abnormalities in HEART RATE, disorders of electrical impulse generation, or impulse conduction.	Arrhythmia,Arrythmia,Cardiac Arrhythmia,Cardiac Arrhythmias,Cardiac Dysrhythmia,Arrhythmia, Cardiac,Dysrhythmia, Cardiac