Cardiac arrhythmias during acute exacerbations of chronic airflow limitation: effect of fall in plasma potassium concentration induced by nebulised beta 2-agonist therapy |
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| Authors: | R Lim M J Walshaw S Saltissi C R Hind |
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| Affiliation: | Department of Medicine, Royal Liverpool Hospital, University of Liverpool, UK. |
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| Abstract: | The effect on cardiac rhythm of the fall in plasma potassium concentration induced by nebulised beta2-agonist therapy was studied in 20 patients admitted to hospital with an acute exacerbation of their reversible chronic airflow limitation. Arrhythmias considered serious or potentially life-threatening were recorded in 13 patients (65%). However, there was no significant increase in these arrhythmias in the hour following administration of nebulised beta2-agonist despite a significant fall in plasma potassium concentration during this period. |
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