ABSTRACT
Objective To determine the association between serum potassium level and the severity of coronary artery atherosclerosis. Methods A total of 246 patients underwent coronary artery angiography were included into this study, and were divided into four groups according to the involved main coronary artery:control group (0 diseased vessel, n=81), one dis?eased vessel group (n=43), double diseased vessel group (n=46) and three diseased vessel group (n=76). Patients were also di?vided into low potassium group (K+double diseased vessel group>one diseased vessel group>control group (P<0.05). (2) There was a significantly higher Gensini score in low potassium group [36(8, 94)] than that of high potassium group [16(0,56)]. (3) There was significant negative correlation between serum potassium level and Gensini score (r=-0.206, P=0.001). (4) It was found that age, male, the low level of serum potassium, diabetes mellitus and hyperten?sion were independent risk factors of CHD. Conclusion The serum potassium level is negatively correlated with the severi?ty of CHD. The low level of serum potassium is an independent risk factor of CHD.