Analysis of electrolyte abnormalities and the mechanisms leading to arrhythmias in heart failure. A literature review.
About 50% of deaths from heart failure (HF) are sudden, presumably referable to arrhythmias. Electrolyte and acid-base abnormalities are a frequent and potentially dangerous complication in HF patients. Their incidence is almost always correlated with the severity of cardiac dysfunction; furthermore leading to arrhythmias, these imbalances are associated with a poor prognosis. The frequency of ventricular ectopic beats and sudden cardiac death correlate with both plasma and whole body levels of potassium, especially in alkalemia. The early recognition of these alterations and the knowledge of the pathophysiological mechanisms are useful for the management of these HF patients.
Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Univ. di Palermo.
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Urso
Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Univ. di Palermo.
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Canino
Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Univ. di Palermo.
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Brucculeri
Dipartimento di Scienze per la Promozione della Salute "G. D'Alessandro", Univ. di Palermo, Palermo, Italia.
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Firenze
Dipartimento Biomedico di Medicina Interna e Specialistica, Univ. di Palermo.
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Caimi
D000328:Adult; D001145:Arrhythmias, Cardiac / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000150:complications* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
D004573:Electrolytes
Arrhythmias; Electrolyte abnormalities; Heart failure; Sudden death