Relation between Potassium, Magnesium and Cardiac Arrhythmias

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Abstract
Magnesium may influence the incidence of cardiac arrhythmias by a direct effect an effect on potassium metabolism an effect as a calcium blocking agent. In the event of a magnesium deficiency the cell cannot attract potassium against the transmembrane concentration gradient. The reason may be that a magnesium deficiency interferes with the function of membrane ATPase, and thus the pumping of sodium out from the cell and potassium into the cell is impaired. The interference from a magnesium deficiency on the equilibrium of potassium between the intra‐ and extracellular spaces may result in changes in the resting membrane potential, changes in potassium conductance across the cell membrane as well as disturbances in the repolarization phase.