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+<4.0 mmol/L, n=99) and high potassium group (K+≥4.0 mmol/L, n=147) according to the levels of serum potassium. The severity of coronary stenosis was quantitated by Gensini score system. The clinical data were compared between groups. The relationship between Gensini score system and clinical information was analyzed. The multi?ple regression method was used to analyse the risk factors of coronary heart disease (CHD). Results (1) There were higher percentages of elders, male, smoking, diabetes mellitus and hypertension patients in three diseased vessel group than those of control group. The serum potassium level was significantly lower in three diseased vessel group (3.97 mmol/L±0.37 mmol/L) than that of control group (4.11 mmol/L±0.33 mmol/L) and one diseased vessel group (4.13 mmol/L±0.41 mmol/L). There were higher percentages of elders, male and hypertension patients in double diseased vessel group than those of control group. The percentages of male and hypertension patients were higher in one diseased vessel group than those of control group. The Gensini scores were three diseased vessel group>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.

Objective To evaluate the influence of the CT enterography (CTE) in different scan phases of small intesti?nal wall and arteriovenous vessels, and to confirm the diagnostic efficiency thereof. Methods A total of 286 patients under?went CTE were collected, and their CT image of three scan phases, including 20 s, 40 s and 60 s after injection, were record?ed. Values of reinforcement of the intestinal wall and arteriovenous enhancing degree in all phases were collected. A statisti?cal analysis was used to confirm the best phase for showing the structure. The diagnostic efficiency of the best phase of CT image was evaluated for the clinical diagnosis of small intestine and vascular lesions. Results (1) The CT value of the small intestinal wall in the intestinal phase was significantly higher than other two phases (P<0.05). There was no significant dif?ference in CT value between arterial phase and portal phase. (2) Comparison between three phases of CT values of ileum showed that artery:arterial phase>intestinal phase, and there is no statistical difference between the intestinal phase and oth?er two phases. The result of CT value of ileum vein showed that intestinal phase>portal phase>arterial phase (P<0.05). (3) The sensitivity was 95.8%, the specificity was 94.9%, the accuracy was 95.1%, the positive predictive value was 79.3%and the negative predictive value was 99.1%using CT image of intestinal period for diagnosing small intestinal diseases. (4) The intestinal period showed small intestinal lesions and confirmed by pathology including 22 cases of small intestinal lympho?ma, 10 cases of stromal tumor, 1 case adenoma, cavernous 3 cases hemangioma and 8 cases of Crohn's disease. The diagno?sis of hemangioma should be combined with arterial phase. Conclusion Small intestinal wall and blood vessels have better display performance in the intestinal phase of multiphase CT enterography, using the arterial phase and intestinal phase scan?ning, we can make an accurate diagnosis for the majority of small intestinal diseases.