JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

Abstract

Background: Myocardial infarction(MI) is a dreadful complication of cardiovascular disease causing increasing mortality worldwide. Sudden cardiac deaths occur worldwide at rates of around 3 million per year. Electrolyte imbalances after an episode of acute MI are common. Clinical importance of these imbalances in ST elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) in the era of primary intervention has not been fully understood. Objectives: To determine the pattern of dyselectrolytemia in post MI patients and to compare the electrolyte levels among MI and non-MIpatients. Materials & Methods: This was a retrospective case control study including 50 consecutive acute MI patients admitted to the coronary care unit and 50 controls. Plasma sodium, potassium and chloride levels were obtained in all MI patients within 48 hours of admission. Patient history, physical examination, drug history and laboratory results were recorded by chart abstraction. Conclusion: Hypokalemia and hyponatremia were fairly common findings among acute MI patients. Serum chloride levels showed no particular pattern or significant difference among the two groups.

Key Words: Myocardial infarction, Serum chloride, Serum creatinine, Serum potassium, Serum sodium.