|
N. Dora, PK Ghosh, B Pradhan, BK Barik, RC Sethy, S Tripathy, SR
Pattnaik
Aims
and
Objective:
To study
the
correlation
of ECG
changes
in
hypokalemic
periodic
palsy
with
serum
potassium
level.
Material
and
Method:
Thirty
five
cases of
clinically
diagnosed
hypokalemic
periodic
palsy
were
included
in this
study
admitted
to
medicine
wards of
VSS
Medical
College
Hospital,
Burla
during
the
period
of
February
2004 to
June
2004.
Correlation
between
electrocardiographic
changes
i.e PR –
interval
, QRS –
duration,
QTc –
interval,
ST-
Segment
depression,
flattening
of
T-wave
and
presence
of
U-wave
and AV
block
with
corresponding
serum
potassium
level
was
studied.
Secondary
causes
of
hypokalemia
were
excluded
in this
study.
Observation:
ECG
Changes
of 35
cases
are
tabulated
below
with
serum
potassium
level
|
Se. K+ level in mEq/L |
Total Cases |
Prolonged PR interval |
Presence of U-wave |
|
Mild (3.1 – 3.5) |
1 |
0 |
1 |
|
Moderate (2.6-3) |
14 |
1 |
14 |
|
Severe (<2.5) |
20 |
05 |
20 |
There
were one
(2.9%)
cases of
mild,
14(40%)
cases of
moderate
and
20(57.1%)
cases of
severe
hypokalemia.
At the
time of
admission
all 35
(100%)
cases
showed
flattering
of
T-wave
with
presence
of
U-wave
in ECG
and
prolonged
QTc –
interval
in
32(91.4%)
cases.
ST
–depression
was
found
only 20
(57.1%)
cases.
Out of
10 cases
of AV –
block,
6(17.1%)
cases
had
first
degree
AV-block
with
prolonged
PR
interval
and
4(11.4%)
cases
had
second
degree
AV –
block.
Out of
10 cases
of AV-
block 9
(90%)
cases
had
AV-block
with
serum
potassium
level
£2.5
mEq/L
and
1(10%)
case had
AV block
with
serum
potassium
2.8 mEq/L.
Conclusion:
Various
types of
ECG
changes
occur in
moderate
to sever
hypokalemia
and do
not
specify
level of
hypokalemia.
However
AV –
block
was
present
in
majority
cases of
severe
hypokalemia
and
presence
of AV –
block
with
other
features
of
hypokalemic
ECG
changes
preclude
immediate
potassium
supplementation
before
the
availability
of serum
potassium
level
reports. |
