Study of serum sodium and potassium in acute myocardial infarction

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality across the world. Serum electrolytes changes in AMI have not been studied extensively and there is paucity of information in the literature in this regard. Scanty information is available in the literature about prognostic value of serum electrolytes in ischaemic heart disease. Hence this study was undertaken to study any changes in the serum electrolytes with special reference to serum sodium and potassium in cases of AMI and study the correlation of serum sodium and potassium in the severity and outcome of AMI. Hundred people were included in study divided equally in study and control groups. Study group comprised confirmed diagnosis of recent onset of AMI. The blood samples of both the groups were analysed for Serum electrolytes (Na+, K+) by flame-photometry (Bio-Lab Diagnostic kit). There was statistically significant decrease in sodium and potassium levels in across all age groups & in both sexes of study group compared to control group. Significant high level of sodium was observed in AMI patients who are smokers and AMI patients with Diabetes whereas the level was low in AMI patients with hypertension. Potassium levels were low in AMI patients with Diabetes whereas the change was insignificant in association with smoking and hypertension. Decrease in sodium level was due to hypoxia and ischaemia, which increase the permeability of sarcolemma to sodium whereas decrease in potassium level was influenced by the catecholamine levels which are elevated in early acute myocardial infarction.