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Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Isolation and Functional Characterization of Human Ventricular Cardiomyocytes from Fresh Surgical Samples
Published on: April 21, 2014
A patient with hyperkalemia and metabolic acidosis
N A Kurtzman1, J Gonzalez, R DeFronzo
1Department of Internal Medicine, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock 79430.
Abstract:
Uptake of potassium by extrarenal tissues, primarily muscle and liver, represents a major defense mechanism in the maintenance of normokalemia following an acute elevation in the serum potassium concentration. Insulin, epinephrine, and aldosterone all play major roles in maintaining the normal distribution of potassium between the intracellular and extracellular environment. In addition to hormonal regulation, changes in blood pH and tonicity also exert a strong influence on extrarenal potassium metabolism. Last, the serum potassium concentration per se directly influences its own cellular uptake and this transport mechanism appears to be inhibited by uremia.
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