Cardiac arrhythmias induced by hypokalaemia and potassium loss during maintenance digoxin therapy.
Twelve patients with congestive heart failure receiving maintenance therapy with digoxin and potent diuretics were followed closely during development of hypokalemia and potassium loss. Cardiac arrhythmias compatible with digoxtin toxicity developed in 6 patients in the presence of stable, normal serum digoxin concentrations. The mechanisms involved in the development of the rhythm disturbances are discussed with regard to hypokalaemia, intracellular potassium loss, intra-/extracellular potassium gradients and digoxin, and the significance of maintaining a normal potassium balance in this setting is stressed.
D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000139:chemically induced*; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D004077:Digoxin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004232:Diuretics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications; D008875:Middle Aged; D011188:Potassium / Q000378:metabolism; D011191:Potassium Deficiency / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications
D004232:Diuretics; D004077:Digoxin; D003404:Creatinine; D011188:Potassium