Abstract
Plasma potassium concentration was measured at admission in 1234 patients who presented with acute chest pain. One hundred and ninety five patients were on P blockers before admission. The potassium concentrations of patients admitted early (within four hours of onsetof symptoms) were compared with those admitted later (4-18 hours after onset of symptoms). There was a transient fall in plasma potassium concentrations in patients not pre-treated with , B blockers. This was not seen in patients who had been on P blockers before admission. Nonselective, B blockers were more effective than cardioselective agents in maintaining concentrationsof plasma potassium. These findings suggest a mechanism for the beneficial effects of ,B blockers on morbidity and mortality in acute myocardial infarction.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 499-504 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | British Heart Journal |
Volume | 58 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Nov 1987 |
Keywords
- beta-blockers
- hypokalemia
- acute chest pain