[Influence of anti-arrhythmia agents on electrolyte metabolism]

In 73 patients with hypertensive and ischemic heart diseases the total body potassium content was studied by measuring natural radioactivity with reference to K40 before and after administration of quinidine, isoptin and inderal. Furthermore, in 74 patients subject to determination was the blood plasma and erythrocytes potassium and sodium levels on application of the said agents. Following administration of quinidine and isoptin the level of total potassium in the organism was rising substantially, while taking inderal lead to a drop of the potassium concentration in the body. No clear cut parallels between the blood plasma and erythrocytes ontent and the level of total potassium in the organism could be uncovered. Mechanisms underlying the antiarrhythmic action of quinidine, isoptin and inderal are discussed.