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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Voltage-Dependent Potassium Current Recording on H9c2 Cardiomyocytes via the Whole-Cell Patch-Clamp Technique

Voltage-Dependent Potassium Current Recording on H9c2 Cardiomyocytes via the Whole-Cell Patch-Clamp Technique

Published on: November 11, 2022

[Hyperkalemia induced by atenolol].

H Kassem¹, C Hajjar, T El Gharbi

¹Service de médecine interne, centre hospitalier de Dourdan, 2, rue du Potelet, 91410 Dourdan cedex, France.

La Revue De Medecine Interne

|November 21, 2008

Summary

Atenolol, a common beta-blocker, can cause dangerous hyperkalemia (high potassium) by affecting potassium transfer. Discontinuation of atenolol resolves this condition, highlighting a critical drug-induced side effect.

Area of Science:

Cardiology
Pharmacology
Nephrology

Background:

Beta-blockers like atenolol are frequently prescribed for cardiovascular conditions.
Hyperkalemia is a serious electrolyte imbalance that can lead to cardiac arrhythmias.
Identifying drug-induced causes of hyperkalemia is crucial for patient safety.

Observation:

A 53-year-old woman presented with hyperkalemia.
The patient was undergoing treatment with atenolol.
Other potential causes of hyperkalemia were systematically excluded.

Findings:

Atenolol was identified as the cause of hyperkalemia.
Serum potassium levels normalized after discontinuing atenolol.
Reintroduction of atenolol led to recurrent hyperkalemia, confirming the causal link.

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Isolation of Human Atrial Myocytes for Simultaneous Measurements of Ca2+ Transients and Membrane Currents

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Implications:

This case highlights atenolol as a potential cause of drug-induced hyperkalemia.
The suspected mechanism involves impaired intracellular potassium transfer.
Clinicians should consider atenolol when evaluating patients with unexplained hyperkalemia.