[Correlation of intra-erythrocytic Na, K, Ca, Mg contents and ATPase activity with dilated cardiomyopathy].

Intra-erythrocytic contents of Na, K, Ca, Mg and activities of Na-K-ATPase (Na-pump) and Ca-Mg-ATPase (Ca-pump) were measured in 30 cases of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). Effects of treatment on these variables were simultaneously observed. The results showed that intra-erythrocytic Na, Ca contents increased and K, Mg contents decreased. That erythrocyte membrane Na-pump and Ca-pump were remarkably lower in DCM than those in the controls. Red cell cations and ATPase activities returned to normal following the recovery of cardiac function. It is suggested that abnormalities of intracellular cations and cell membrane cation transfer may play an important role in the mechanism of DCM.