Cardiac work up in primary renal hypokalaemia-hypomagnesaemia (Gitelman syndrome)

Abstract

The QT interval is often prolonged in primary renal hypokalaemia-hypomagnesaemia, confirming that potassium and magnesium depletion tends to prolong the duration of the action potential of the cardiomyocyte. The results of continuous ambulatory electrocardiography, exercise testing and echocardiography are reassuring. Nonetheless, we assume that dangerous cardiac arrhythmias may occur in patients with very severe hypokalaemia, during medication with drugs that prolong the QT interval or in the context of short-term non-adherence to the recommended regimen of care.