BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate a possible association between serum phosphate levels and the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias in the early stages of sepsis. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, controlled study in the General Intensive Care Unit (GICU) of a university hospital. Sixteen patients with sepsis, but without any previous cardiac disease, were studied during their first 24 h in the GICU. Patients were connected to a continuous ECG recording device. Blood samples for serum phosphate level determinations were drawn during the first 6 h after admission to the unit. RESULTS: Ten of 16 patients had 21 episodes of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. These patients had higher mean Apache II scores (20.2+/-6.2) than the six patients without arrhythmias (13.2+/-1.7; P<0.05) and significantly lower mean phosphate levels (0.73+/-0.16 vs. 1.02+/-0.32 mmol/l; P<0.03). No association was found between serum phosphate levels and mortality among patients with arrhythmias, or when all survivors (with and without arrhythmia) were compared to all non-survivors. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that patients with sepsis and low serum phosphate levels are at a greater risk of developing cardiac arrhythmias. We suggest that phosphate supplementation in the early stages of sepsis may prevent cardiac arrhythmias.
BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate a possible association between serum phosphate levels and the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias in the early stages of sepsis. METHODS: We conducted a prospective, controlled study in the General Intensive Care Unit (GICU) of a university hospital. Sixteen patients with sepsis, but without any previous cardiac disease, were studied during their first 24 h in the GICU. Patients were connected to a continuous ECG recording device. Blood samples for serum phosphate level determinations were drawn during the first 6 h after admission to the unit. RESULTS: Ten of 16 patients had 21 episodes of atrial and ventricular arrhythmias. These patients had higher mean Apache II scores (20.2+/-6.2) than the six patients without arrhythmias (13.2+/-1.7; P<0.05) and significantly lower mean phosphate levels (0.73+/-0.16 vs. 1.02+/-0.32 mmol/l; P<0.03). No association was found between serum phosphate levels and mortality among patients with arrhythmias, or when all survivors (with and without arrhythmia) were compared to all non-survivors. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that patients with sepsis and low serum phosphate levels are at a greater risk of developing cardiac arrhythmias. We suggest that phosphate supplementation in the early stages of sepsis may prevent cardiac arrhythmias.
Authors: Andrei Schwartz; Evgeni Brotfain; Leonid Koyfman; Ruslan Kutz; Shaun E Gruenbaum; Moti Klein; Alexander Zlotnik Journal: Electrolyte Blood Press Date: 2014-06-30
Authors: Michael Bestawros; Takondwa Chidumayo; Meridith Blevins; Ashley Canipe; Jay Bala; Paul Kelly; Suzanne Filteau; Bryan E Shepherd; Douglas C Heimburger; John R Koethe Journal: J AIDS Clin Res Date: 2015-03
Authors: Daniël A Geerse; Alexander J Bindels; Michael A Kuiper; Arnout N Roos; Peter E Spronk; Marcus J Schultz Journal: Crit Care Date: 2010-08-03 Impact factor: 9.097