title: Difficulties in maintaining potassium homeostasis in patients with heart failure.
abstract: Potassium (K) concentration plays a significant role in cell metabolism and membrane excitability. The imbalance of serum potassium is important because it can lead to life-threatening events. Potassium balance may be lost both through the neurohormonal mechanisms involved in cardiovascular diseases and through the drugs used in the treatment of this illness. Avoiding both hypo- and hyperkalemia is beneficial in several cardiovascular diseases, especially heart failure. Electrolyte abnormalities are frequently seen complications in subjects with heart failure. Malignant ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death are particularly feared complications in K+ instability.
authors.affiliation: Ondokuz Mayis University Medical School, Department of Cardiology, Samsun, Turkey. ihsandursun@mynet.com
authors.forename: Ihsan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Dursun
authors.forename: Mahmut
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sahin
mesh_terms: D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000097:blood / Q000187:drug effects; D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers / Q000009:adverse effects; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D002301:Cardiac Glycosides / Q000009:adverse effects; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000097:blood* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006493:Heparin / Q000009:adverse effects; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D006947:Hyperkalemia / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced; D007008:Hypokalemia / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D026941:Sodium Channel Blockers / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D047228:Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers; D000806:Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors; D015415:Biomarkers; D002301:Cardiac Glycosides; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D026941:Sodium Channel Blockers; D006493:Heparin; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases; D011188:Potassium