"Ion-Flux": The natural course of ECG changes in severe hypokalemia.

Umael Khan, Usman Afzal, Lauri Kask, Nasir Saeed, Ronak Rajani, Eivind Solheim, Sahrai Saeed

Journal: Current problems in cardiology 2023;49(1 Pt C):102158

PMID: 37865301

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Abstract

Whereas the electrocardiogram (ECG) changes in hypokalemia are well known, they often receive less attention than the more striking features of hyperkalemia. Furthermore, there is a need for further discussion as to the subtleties of ECG changes that can aid in the differential diagnoses. This case study presents the ECG changes of a patient with severe hypokalemia due to diarrhea. It highlights how bifid T-waves in hypokalemia can be distinguished from other conditions such as coronary artery disease or pericarditis. Furthermore, it also shows the gradual reversal of ECG changes in the same patient when potassium is normalized.

Address: Haukeland University Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine, Bergen, Norway.; Haukeland University Hospital, Department of Heart Disease, Bergen, Norway.; Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway.; Cardiovascular Directorate, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom.; Haukeland University Hospital, Department of Heart Disease, Bergen, Norway. Electronic address: [email protected].

DOI: 10.1016/j.cpcardiol.2023.102158

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MeSH Terms: Humans, Hypokalemia, Electrocardiography, Potassium, Arrhythmias, Cardiac, Hyperkalemia