부산대학교 도서관

Background: Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained arrhythmia in the elderly. Serum potassium isassociated with ventricular arrhythmias and cardiac arrest. Hypokalemia causes cellular hyperpolarity, increases resting potential, hastens depolarization and increases automaticity and excitability. Thus, electrolyte imbalances and hypokalemia may contribute to the etiology of Atrial Fibrillation. Aims And Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the association of serum potassium levels and the risk of atrial fibrillation in a population based setting. Material And Methods: The study was performed within the prospective population-based setting. The study population consisted of 100 participants without atrial fibrillation at baseline for whom baseline levels of serum potassium were measured. Atrial fibrillation was ascertained from centre visit, ECG assessments as well as medical records. Results: During one year of study 100 patients were analysed, 46% of the hypokalemic patients developed atrial fibrillation. Participants with hypokalemia (46%) (<3.5 mmol/l) had a higher risk of atrial fibrillationthan those with normokalemia (40%) (3.5-5.0 mmol/l). This association was independent of age, sex, serum magnesium and other potential confounders. Conclusion: In this study low serum levels of potassium were associated with a higher risk of atrial fibrillation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]