Key result
Potassium test timing before elective ECV does not influence ventricular arrhythmias, with no events observed.
Why the study?
Success rates of elective electrical cardioversion vary and ventricular arrhythmias may develop, but whether the timing of pre-ECV potassium serum testing affects patient outcomes is unknown.
Does the timing of pre-electrical cardioversion potassium serum testing affect the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias or procedural success rates in patients undergoing elective cardioversion?
Cohort (n=65)
No
Does the timing of pre-electrical cardioversion potassium serum testing affect the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias or procedural success rates in patients undergoing elective cardioversion?
Routine serum potassium testing shortly before elective electrical cardioversion may be unnecessary, as the timing of the test did not influence the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias or procedural success rates.
Timing of pre-ECV potassium testing was not associated with arrhythmias; should not yet change practice pending prospective trials.
Objectives: Elective electrical cardioversion (ECV) is frequently used for supraventricular tachycardia therapy. However, the success rate of this approach varies, and ventricular arrhythmias may develop as a consequence. We aimed to determine whether the timing of pre-ECV potassium serum testing affects patient outcomes. Materials and Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed 65 patients who underwent elective ECV in 2023. Patients were divided into two groups (short-interval vs long-interval) based on the median time (in days) between the potassium test and ECV. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias, whereas the secondary outcome measure was immediate restoration of sinus rhythm. Results: The median time between the potassium test and ECV was 57 (interquartile range 135) days. No ventricular arrhythmias were observed. There was no statistically significant difference in success rates between the two groups (84.8% versus 84.4%; p=0.958; χ2 test). Predetermined risk factors for potassium disturbances did not influence success rates. Conclusion: Our study suggests that the timing of potassium serum testing does not influence the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias following elective ECV. In addition, the timing of serum potassium testing did not influence the success rate. Therefore, potassium testing shortly before cardioversion may not be necessary.
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Elders et al. (2024) conducted a cohort in Supraventricular tachycardia (n=65). Potassium serum test timing vs. Timing of potassium test (short interval vs long interval) was evaluated on Incidence of ventricular arrhythmias following ECV. The timing of potassium serum testing did not influence the occurrence of ventricular arrhythmias, with no ventricular arrhythmias observed following elective ECV in any patient.
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