Hypokalemia Promotes Arrhythmia by Distinct Mechanisms in Atrial and Ventricular Myocytes.

ABSTRACT:

Rationale

Hypokalemia occurs in up to 20% of hospitalized patients and is associated with increased incidence of ventricular and atrial fibrillation. It is unclear whether these differing types of arrhythmia result from direct and perhaps distinct effects of hypokalemia on cardiomyocytes.

Objective

To investigate proarrhythmic mechanisms of hypokalemia in ventricular and atrial myocytes.

Methods and results

Experiments were performed in isolated rat myocytes exposed to simulated hypokalemia conditions (reduction of extracellular [K⁺] from 5.0 to 2.7 mmol/L) and supported by mathematical modeling studies. Ventricular cells subjected to hypokalemia exhibited Ca²⁺ overload and increased generation of both spontaneous Ca²⁺ waves and delaye

SUBMITTER: Tazmini K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7098435 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature