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Showing posts with label torsades de pointes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label torsades de pointes. Show all posts

Causes and ECG Changes in Hypokalaemia

Hypokalaemia is caused by potassium-wasting diuretics, potassium-wasting diarrhoea and hypokalaemic periodic paralysis.

The hallmark of the effect of hypokalaemia on the ECG is the development of large U waves (positive deflection after the T wave). The normal U wave is produced by repolarisation of the His–Purkinje system.