Study of serum and lymphocyte potassium and magnesium levels in acute myocardial infarction with or without tachy arrhythmia

The work showed significant lowering of serum level and significant raising of lymphocytic content of potassium and magnesium [Mg] in patients with acute myocardial infarction [AMI] in comparison with control subjects. The arrhythmic group patients had significant lowering of serum Mg, while the reduction in serum potassium was insignificant in comparison with patients without arrhythmia. The Mg lymphocytic level was significantly lower in the arrhythmic group compared to the non-arrhythmic group. On the other hand the lymphocytic content of potassium was significantly higher in the group with arrhythmia compared to those without arrhythmia. It was also shown that the occurrence of arrhythmia could not necessarily be predicted by serum cation levels. Only the lymphocyte level as previously suggested reflects more accurately the concentration in the cardiac interstitium, thus the lymphocytic cations may be checked immediately following AMI to avoid magnesium deficiency which cannot be revealed by low serum levels and may manifest itself with serious tachyarrhythmia without warning

study of trace metals in some infectious diseases

Thirty cases of known infectious diseases were included in this study, ten cases with typhoid fever, ten cases with bacterial meningitis and ten cases with broncho-pneumonia together with ten healthy control cases. Serum zinc and copper were estimated using atomic absorption spectrophotometry method to elucidate the behavior of these trace elements in the course of infectious diseases. The results showed decrease in serum zinc level and increase in serum copper concentration as compared to healthy control cases. The mechanism[s] and significance of these changes are discussed