Relationship between hypokalemia and ventricular arrhythmias in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Abstract

Background: Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) is one of the life-threatening manifestations of ischemic heart disease (IHD) ranges from ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI), non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) and unstable angina. Ventricular arrhythmias were frequently complicates the ACS patients in response to electrolytes imbalance. Objectives: Considering the hypokalemia, the main objective of the study was to find out the prevalence of hypokalemia and its association in ventricular arrhythmias in ACS patients. Methods: This hospital based observational cross sectional study was conducted in the department of cardiology in DMCH over 1-year period. Patients with ACS admitted in the CCU of DMCH were approached for inclusion in this study. Total 200 newly diagnosed ACS patients who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria were taken as study subjects. The study subjects were divided into 2 groups, patients with low potassium level (Plasma potassium level