Cardiovascular consequences of hypophosphatemia

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Internal Medicine
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Limited research exists on the cardiovascular effects of hypophosphatemia.
• Hypophosphatemia is increasingly recognized as a potential cause of cardiovascular complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the association between hypophosphatemia and cardiovascular consequences.
• To highlight hypophosphatemia as a reversible cause of cardiac issues.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature search of MEDLINE and PubMed up to September 2016.
• Inclusion of primary studies investigating hypophosphatemia and cardiovascular outcomes (cardiomyopathy, arrhythmia).
• Analysis of 16 selected articles, including cohort studies, case reports, and animal studies.

Main Results:

• Severe hypophosphatemia correction may improve left ventricular performance.
• The link between mild to moderate hypophosphatemia and cardiac function improvement is less clear.
• The association between hypophosphatemia and arrhythmia requires further investigation.

Conclusions:

• Hypophosphatemia-induced cardiomyopathy may stem from ATP depletion in myocardial cells.
• Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) depletion and reduced 2,3-diphosphoglycerate levels are proposed mechanisms.
• Further clinical endpoint analyses are needed to clarify the relationship between cardiac function and hypophosphatemia.