Korean Circ J.  2012 Jan;42(1):65-68. 10.4070/kcj.2012.42.1.65.

Spontaneous Sinus Conversion of Permanent Atrial Fibrillation During Treatment of Hyperkalemia

Affiliations
  • 1Cardiology Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. sejoong@yuhs.ac

Abstract

Hyperkalemia is a common adverse effect of treatment for heart failure and is associated with high mortality and morbidity. The cardiac manifestations of hyperkalemia include various electrocardiogram changes. We describe a case of a 74-year-old woman with heart failure and permanent atrial fibrillation who reverted to normal sinus rhythm during recovery from hyperkalemia.

Keyword

Hyperkalemia; Atrial fibrillation; Electrocardiography

MeSH Terms

Aged
Atrial Fibrillation
Electrocardiography
Female
Heart Failure
Humans
Hyperkalemia

Figure

  • Fig. 1 The electrocardiogram performed prior to admission was atrial fibrillation at a rate of 92 bpm.

  • Fig. 2 The electrocardiogram performed on admission revealed Junctional bradycardia at a rate of 35 bpm and QRS duration of 136 milliseconds (K+: 8.3 mEq/L).

  • Fig. 3 The electrocardiogram performed on hospital day 2 showed sinus bradycardia at a rate of 53 bpm and QRS duration of 80 milliseconds (K+: 5.3 mEq/L).


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