Final answer:
In chronic kidney disease, hyperkalemia is the elevated electrolyte imbalance that can lead to life-threatening arrhythmias. This condition can cause dangerous changes in heart rhythm and severe cases can be fatal. Proper management and monitoring of potassium levels are essential for preventing cardiovascular risks in these patients.
Step-by-step explanation:
In chronic kidney disease, the elevated electrolyte imbalance that can result in life-threatening arrhythmias is hyperkalemia. This condition, characterized by elevated serum potassium levels, can lead to dangerous changes in heart rhythm, which in severe cases can be fatal.
Factors such as metabolic acidosis, increased dietary intake of potassium, or a reduction in kidney function can lead to hyperkalemia.
The accumulation of potassium in the blood causes malaise and may progress to cardiac arrhythmias. Severe hyperkalemia affects the cardiac muscle, leading to possible heart failure as the heart may not relax after a contraction.
Other electrolyte imbalances linked to arrhythmias include hyponatremia and hypokalemia; however, in the context of chronic kidney disease, hyperkalemia is most prominent and clinically significant in inducing life-threatening arrhythmias.
Chronic kidney disease patients should be closely monitored for hyperkalemia, and proper management is crucial to prevent cardiovascular complications.