Hypokalemia-Induced Arrhythmia: A Case Series and Literature Review

Abstract

Electrolyte imbalances, particularly potassium disorders, are common in clinical practice. Potassium homeostasis plays a key role in regulating cell membrane excitability. Hypokalemia usually presents with cardiovascular and neuromuscular abnormalities. Hypokalemia can lead to clinically significant life-threatening arrhythmia. Typical electrocardiographic (ECG) features of hypokalemia include widespread ST depression, T wave inversion, and prominent U waves. However, hypokalemia may present with different types of arrhythmia, such as premature ventricular contractions, ventricular fibrillation, atrial fibrillation, and torsade de pointes. Thus, clinicians should be familiar with ECG manifestations of potassium disorders that may warrant timely diagnosis and effective management. Herein, we report three patients with arrhythmia who were found to have typical ECG characteristics of hypokalemia after resolution of arrhythmia and later proved to have low serum potassium levels.