INITIAL SERUM POTASSIUM LEVEL IN RELATION TO EARLY COMPLICATIONS AND PROGNOSIS IN PATIENTS WITH ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION

TLDR

Serum potassium levels were measured in 444 patients upon admission. Among 450 AMI patients, hyperkalemia was uncommon but linked to worse admission status and poorer prognosis, while hypokalemia (15%) correlated with prior diuretic use, supraventricular arrhythmias, and increased ventricular ectopy and tachycardia.

Abstract

Abstract During two years 450 patients with AMI have been treated in the CCU at Serafimerlasarettet. Serum potassium level was determined in 444 patients on admission. Hyperkalemia was a rare finding associated with a bad state on admission and a poor prognosis. Hypokalemia was recorded in 15% of the patients and was associated with previous diuretic treatment, supraventricular bradycardia as well as atrial flutter and fibrillation during the first 24 hours in the CCU. Ventricular ectopic beats and ventricular tachycardia were also seen more frequently in hypokalaemic than in other patients.