Hypokalemia in a patient with heart failure and atrial fibrillation as a predictor of life-threatening arrhythmia


DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18565/therapy.2024.6.122-128

Tatarintseva Z.G., Katushkina Yu.A., Kosmacheva E.D., Babicheva O.V.

1) Professor S.V. Ochapovsky Research Institute – Regional Clinical Hospital No. 1 of the Ministry of Healthcare of Krasnodar territory, Krasnodar; 2) Kuban State Medical University of the Ministry of Healthcare of Russia, Krasnodar
Abstract. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia in patients with heart failure (HF). Growing evidence indicates an interaction between hypokalemia and AF. The presented clinical case demonstrates one of the life-threatening complications of hypokalemia in a patient with HF and AF – development of ventricular fibrillation, which was successfully terminated by electropulse therapy and did not recur in the presence of antiarrhythmic therapy and hypokalemia correction. Low potassium level could be eliminated by titrating mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. In addition, to increase K+ level in tissues, it is advisable to take drugs containing high doses of potassium and magnesium aspartate. This clinical example emphasizes the critical importance of adequate drug therapy to prevent life-threatening complications such as ventricular fibrillation.
Keywords: clinical case, ventricular fibrillation, hypokalemia, heart failure, atrial fibrillation
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About the Autors

Zoya G. Tatarintseva, MD, PhD (Medicine), head of the Cardiology Department of Professor S.V. Ochapovsky research institute – Regional Clinical Hospital No. 1 of the Ministry of Healthcare of Krasnodar territory, assistant at the Department of cardiac surgery and cardiology of the Faculty of advanced training and professional retraining of specialists, Kuban State Medical University of the Ministry of Healthcare of Russia. Address: 350086, Krasnodar, 167 1-go Maya St.
E-mail: z.tatarintseva@list.ru
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3868-8061
Elena D. Kosmacheva, MD, Dr. Sci. (Medicine), professor, head of the Department of therapy No. 1 of the Faculty of advanced training and professional retraining of specialists, Kuban State Medical University of the Ministry of Healthcare of Russia, deputy chief physician for medical affairs, S.V. Ochapovsky Research Institute – Regional Clinical Hospital No. 1 of the Ministry of Healthcare of Krasnodar territory. Address: 350063, Krasnodar, 4 Mitrofana Sedina St.
E-mail: kosmachova_h@mail.ru
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5690-2482
Yulia A. Katushkina, MD, endocrinologist at the Department of endocrinology, S.V. Ochapovsky Research Institute – Regional Clinical Hospital No. 1 of the Ministry of Healthcare of Krasnodar territory, assistant at the Department of therapy No. 1 of the Faculty of advanced training and professional retraining of specialists, Kuban State Medical University of the Ministry of Healthcare of Russia. Address: 350901, Krasnodar, 140 Rossiyskaya St.
E-mail: ukadoc@gmail.com
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7334-9928
Olga V. Babicheva, MD, PhD (Medicine), cardiologist at Professor S.V. Ochapovsky Research Institute – Regional clinical hospital No. 1 of the Ministry of Healthcare of Krasnodar territory, associate professor of the Department of cardiac surgery and cardiology of the Faculty of advanced training and professional retraining of specialists, Kuban State Medical University of the Ministry of Healthcare of Russia. Address: 350086, Krasnodar, 167 1-go Maya St.
E-mail: babolga@mail.ru
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3010-492Х


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