Prevalence of Hypokalemia among Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients: An Hospital Based Study

Prevalence of Hypokalemia among Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients

Abstract

Background: In the setting of myocardial ischemia, adrenergic stimulation activates the NaK ATPase pump, lowering plasma potassium levels. Several small, observational studies have suggested that in the setting of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), hypokalemia, typically defined as potassium levels <3.5 mEq/L, is associated with ventricular arrhythmias. Hence; present study was planned for assessing the prevalence of hypokalemia in AMI patients. Subjects and Methods: The present study was carried out in the department of General Medicine, Swatantra Sainani late Dr. Mangal Singh District Hospital, Dholpur, Rajasthan, India. We aimed of estimating the prevalence of Hypokalemia among Acute Myocardial Infarction Patients reporting in a time period of two years. Results: A total of 100 subjects were included in the present study. Among these 100 subjects, 50 were healthy controls, while the remaining 50 were affected with AMI. Mean age of the subjects of the AMI group and non- AMI group was 45.6 and 46.5 years respectively. 50 percent of the patients of the AMI group and 52 percent of the non- AMI group were males while the remaining were females. Mean Potassium levels of the subjects of the AMI group was 3.6 mEq/L whereas mean potassium levels of the subjects of the Non-AMI group was 3.8 mEq/L respectively. Non- significant results were obtained while comparing the mean serum potassium levels among the subjects of AMI and Non-AMI group. In the AMI group, 11 patients had potassium levels of less than 3.5 mEq/L. therefore; overall prevalence rate of hypokalemia among the AMI patients was 22 percent. Conclusion: From the above results, it can be concluded that patients with AMI are associated with significant electrolyte disturbances, along with alteration in potassium levels. However; further studies are recommended.