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(Chest. 1963;43:377-381.)
© 1963 American College of Chest Physicians

The Action of Potassium on the Atrioventricular Node in Digitalized Patients

Herbert B. Zimmerman M.D., F.C.C.P.1; Kenneth W. Gentsch M.D.1; and Arthur H. Gale M.D.1

1 St. Louis, Missouri

1. Eleven patients with heart disease of varied etiology and having sinus rhythm were subjected to potassium infusions resulting in a significant increase in AV conduction time in 72.7 per cent of instances.

2. Although potassium may inhibit the rapid arrhythmias which result from digitalis intoxication, its effect on the AV node is synergistic with digitalis making it contraindicated in those patients who exhibit some from of AV block as the dominant feature of their digitalis intoxication.

3. No correlation was found between the per cent increase in AV conduction time and per cent or absolute increase in plasma potassium concentration. The possible explanation for this is discussed.

4. A good correlation was found to exist between the per cent increase in AV conduction time and the duration of digitalis administration. The relationship to maximum digitalis effect and/or digitalis intoxication is discussed.






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