Final answer:
Potassium channels play a crucial role in the action potential of cardiac cells. In hyperkalemia, higher levels of potassium in the blood can lead to heart abnormalities. Ironically, milder degrees of hyperkalemia may not initially show obvious symptoms or impairments in AV conduction.
Step-by-step explanation:
Potassium channels play a critical role in the action potential of cardiac cells. In hyperkalemia, there is an elevated level of potassium in the blood, which can lead to a partial depolarization of the plasma membrane of cardiac cells. This depolarization can result in an inability of the cells to repolarize properly, causing the heart to seize and stop pumping blood, which is fatal.
The irony in milder degrees of hyperkalemia and AV conduction lies in the fact that while hyperkalemia can impair AV conduction and lead to heart abnormalities, milder degrees of hyperkalemia may not initially show obvious symptoms or impairments in AV conduction. This can be deceptive because it creates a false sense of normalcy, leading to a delayed diagnosis and potentially worsening the condition.