Cardiac arrhythmias and electrolyte changes during haemodialysis

• Published in: Nephrology, dialysis, transplantation dialysis, transplantation, 1992, Vol.7 (4), p.318-322
• Main Authors: Rombolà, G., Colussi, G., De Ferrari, M. Elisabetta, Frontini, A., Minetti, L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acid-Base Equilibrium; Anesthesia. Intensive care medicine. Transfusions. Cell therapy and gene therapy; Arrhythmias, Cardiac - blood; Arrhythmias, Cardiac - etiology; Biological and medical sciences; cardiac arrhythmias; Emergency and intensive care: renal failure. Dialysis management; Erythrocytes - metabolism; Female; haemodialysis-associated electrolyte changes; Humans; Intensive care medicine; intraerythrocytic potassium; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Potassium - blood; Potassium Deficiency - complications; potassium depletion; Renal Dialysis - adverse effects
• ISSN: 0931-0509; 1460-2385
• DOI: 10.1093/oxfordjournals.ndt.a092135

Cardiac arrhythmias are a frequent event in chronic haemodialysis patients, and their pathogenesis is still poorly understood. We evaluated plasma K+ (PK), intraerythrocytic K+ (EK) and acid-base changes during haemodialysis in six patients with frequent arrhythmias (A-pts), and in six (used as controls) nonarrhythmic dialysis patients (C-pts). PK decreased significantly (P < 0.01) during haemodialysis in both groups: A-pts (pre HD: 4.8±0.52 mM; 1st hour: 3.66±0.44; end HD: 3.17±0.38) and C-pts (4.75±0.80; 3.71±0.32 and 3.18±0.18 respectively) without any significant difference at any time between the two groups. Predialysis arterial pH and HCO3 were similar in A-pts (7.33±0.07 and 22.1±4.5 mM) and C-pts (7.29±0.04 and 19.7±2.6mM) but anapparently better correction of acidosis within the treatment was seen in A-pts (arterial pH 1st hour: 7.38±0.07; end HD: 7.39±0.07) than C-pts (1st hour: 7.31±0.02, P