Treatment-induced increase in total body potassium in patients at high risk of ventricular arrhythmias; a randomized POTCAST substudy

OBJECTIVE: Hypokalemia is associated with increased risk of arrhythmias and it is recommended to monitor plasma potassium (p-K) regularly in at-risk patients with cardiovascular diseases. It is poorly understood if administration of potassium supplements and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRA) aimed at increasing p-K also increases intracellular potassium. METHODS: Adults aged≥18 years with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) were randomized (1:1) to a control group or to an intervention that included guidance on potassium rich diets, potassium supplements, and MRA to increase p-K to target levels of 4.5-5.0 mmol/l for six months. Total-body-potassium (TBK) was measured by a Whole-Body-Counter along with p-K at baseline, after six weeks, and after six months. RESULTS: Fourteen patients (mean age: 59 years (standard deviation 14), 79% men) were included. Mean p-K was 3.8 mmol/l (0.2), and mean TBK was 1.50 g/kg (0.20) at baseline. After six-weeks, p-K had increased by 0.47 mmol/l (95%CI:0.14;0.81), p = 0.008 in the intervention group compared to controls, whereas no significant difference was found in TBK (44 mg/kg (-20;108), p = 0.17). After six-months, no significant difference was found in p-K as compared to baseline (0.16 mmol/l (-0.18;0.51), p = 0.36), but a significant increase in TBK of 82 mg/kg (16;148), p = 0.017 was found in the intervention group compared to controls. CONCLUSIONS: Increased potassium intake and MRAs increased TBK gradually and a significant increase was seen after six months. The differentially regulated p-K and TBK challenges current knowledge on potassium homeostasis and the time required before the full potential of p-K increasing treatment can be anticipated. TRIAL REGISTRATION: www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03833089).