1 From the Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, the Krannert Institute of Cardiology, and Marion County General Hospital, Indianapolis, Indiana.
While a number of electrolytes play a role in the genesis of the transmembrane action potential (AP), the changes in the action potential most clearly related to arrhythmias are dependent to a large extent on K+. Potassium gradient is a major determinant of the magnitude of transmembrane resting potential (TRP), and secondarily the rate of rise (dV/dt) of phase 0, and consequently the speed of conduction. The cell membrane conductance for K+, or a decrease therein, is most likely the major determinant of spontaneous slow depolarization during phase 4. Thus K+ has a pronounced effect on both conduction and automaticity. Furthermore, these electrophysiologic properties are altered within levels of K+ encountered in clinical medicine, a situation which, with rare exceptions, is not seen with Ca++, Mg++, or Na–. These latter ions affect the action potential and induce experimental arrhythmias at concentrations which are unphysiologic and frequently incompatible with life. Consequently, of all the electrolytes, disturbed K+ metabolism accounts for the vast majority of clinical arrhythmias. For the same reasons, with the exception of the ability of Na+ and Ca++ to reverse the K+ -induced depression of conduction, K+ is the only electrolyte with clinacally significant antiarrhythmic properties.
© 1973 American Heart Association, Inc.
Relation of Electrolyte Disturbances to Cardiac Arrhythmias
Key Words: Electrolytes • Arrhythmia • Electrocardiogram • Potassium
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