Effect of captopril therapy on lymphocyte potassium and magnesium concentrations in patients with congestive heart failure.
Lymphocyte potassium and magnesium were measured before and 3 months after the introduction of captopril in 18 patients taking diuretics for congestive heart failure. Compared to 32 healthy controls, 9 patients who had been on potassium supplements plus frusemide had decreased baseline lymphocyte magnesium and potassium concentrations (p less than 0.01), in spite of similar plasma electrolyte levels. There was a significant (p less than 0.01) increase in both lymphocyte potassium and magnesium levels after 3 months' treatment with captopril and frusemide in these patients. Nine patients who had been taking a potassium-sparing combination diuretic also had an increase in lymphocyte magnesium (p less than 0.05) following the introduction of captopril. Increased intracellular potassium and magnesium may be one mechanism whereby angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors reduced arrhythmias and improve survival in patients with congestive heart failure.
O'Keeffe
S
S
Department of Cardiology, University College Hospital, Galway, Ireland.
Grimes
H
H
Finn
J
J
McMurrough
P
P
Daly
K
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002216:Captopril / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005665:Furosemide / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D008274:Magnesium / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood*
D005665:Furosemide; D002216:Captopril; D008274:Magnesium; D011188:Potassium