Hypokalaemia Flashcards
1
Q
What is hypokalaemia?
A
Plasma potassium concentration is too low
2
Q
Define quantitively hypokalaemia?
A
<3.5mmol.L-1
3
Q
What affect does hypokalaemia have on the cardiac action potential?
A
Lengthens the action potential
Delays repolarisation
4
Q
What condition does hypokalaemia lead to?
A
Ventricular fibrillation
5
Q
Why does hypokalaemia lead to ventricular fibrillation?
A
You have longer action potentials which lead to early after depolarisations (EADs) and this can lead to oscillation in the membrane potential
