Cardiac work up in primary renal hypokalaemia-hypomagnesaemia (Gitelman syndrome).

Background: Potassium and magnesium depletion prolongs the duration of the action potential of the cardiomyocyte, which predisposes to ventricular arrhythmias. In addition, potassium or magnesium depletion might impair cardiac performance and facilitate coronary artery thrombosis.

Methods: Continuous 24-h ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring, treadmill exercise testing and echocardiography were assessed in 21 patients (11 female and 10 male subjects, aged 5.

Electrocardiogram with prolonged QT interval in Gitelman disease.

Background: Potassium and magnesium deficiency prolong the QT interval on a standard electrocardiogram and predispose the patient to dangerous cardiac arrhythmias. No information is available on QT interval in patients diagnosed with Gitelman disease.

Methods: The QT interval was assessed on lead II in 27 patients with biochemically and genetically defined Gitelman disease, who had discontinued medical treatment for at least four weeks.