Simulating the effects of serum potassium on the ECG

The O´Hara et al. ventricular cell model was used to quantify cell and tissue electrical characteristics under altered extracellular serum potassium ([K⁺]_o) levels. The cell model was incorporated into a heterogeneous 1D bidomain virtual strand description where pseudo-ECG was computed. In multiple simulations, the effects of [K⁺]_o on CV and ECG T wave were quantified. Further, heterogeneous inter-cellular coupling was simulated to elicit the augmented action potential dispersion in human ventricles observed experimentally. An increase of [K⁺]_o reduced APD₉₀ and increased cellular alternans propensity. In 1D simulations, CV was reduced due to both increased and reduced [K⁺]_o. ECG T wave amplitude and absolute value of repolarization slope reduced with increasing [K⁺]_o. There is a close correlation between ECG and [K⁺]_o which could be used in non-invasive diagnostic methods.