Potassium channel suppressed in hypokalemia – Cardiology MCQ

Potassium channel suppressed in hypokalemia – MCQ

Which is the potassium channel suppressed in hypokalemia?

1. I_kr – rapid component of delayed rectifier potassium current
2. I_to – transient outward potassium current
3. I_ks – slow component of delayed rectifier potassium current
4. None of the above

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It well known that hypokalemia increases the propensity for cardiac arrhythmias. They can present with life threatening cardiac arrhythmias like polymorphic ventricular tachycardia with QT prolongation known as torsades des pointes. Correction of hypokalemia if present has an important role in prevention of this arrhythmia. Hypokalemia also increases the risk of arrhythmias in digoxin toxicity. Hence it is important to study the molecular basis of arrhythmias in hypokalemia, including the potassium channel suppressed in hypokalemia.