Скачать или смотреть Hot Line 1: POTCAST – Study Shows Increasing Potassium Levels Reduces Ventricular Arrhythmia Risk

30 August 2025

POTCAST, an open-label Danish trial, investigated whether targeting mid-to-high normal potassium levels in patients with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) could reduce ventricular arrhythmia risk. Dr. Christian Jons presented key findings from the study, highlighting that low plasma potassium levels were linked to increased arrhythmia risks. Participants received dietary guidance, potassium supplements, or mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists to raise their potassium levels, while comparing this approach to standard care. The primary outcome was a composite of sustained tachycardia, inappropriate ICD therapy, unplanned hospitalization, or mortality. After a median follow-up of 39.6 months, the high-normal potassium group showed significantly lower arrhythmia burden compared to the control group. Safety outcomes included minimal hospitalizations due to hyper- or hypokalaemia. Senior author Professor Henning Bundgaard emphasized that increasing potassium levels without adverse effects could be a cost-effective strategy for managing cardiovascular diseases.