Saira Gul, Imran Hussain, Ajwad Farogh, Madiha Iqbal, Shamila Afsha.
Association between the disturbed serum electrolyte levels and the occurrence of arrhythmias among cardiac surgery patients.
J Cardiovascular Dis Jan ;13(2):55-8.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between disturbed electrolyte levels and the incidence of postoperative arrhythmias in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After the approval of cardiac surgery department and written informed consent of the patients, the data of 82 patients undergoing cardiac surgery were analyzed. Serum potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, and phosphorus levels were measured before and after the cardiac surgery. Cardiac rhythm was monitored throughout the study. RESULTS: The overall incidence of cardiac arrhythmia was 20(24.39%) among 82 patients undergoing cardiac surgery. There were 24(29.27%) hypertensive patients. CPR was done on 5(6.10%) patients with lethal arrhythmias and 100% mortality. CONCLUSION: The incidence of cardiac arrhythmia after cardiac surgery remained high. Serum electrolyte concentration after cardiac surgery varies within normal ranges except potassium levels. Potassium level less than 3.5 mmol/L is strongly associated with cardiac arrhythmias. KEY WORDS: Serum electrolytes, arrhythmias, cardiac surgery.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com