Serum electrolytes and parathyroid hormone in patients in a coronary care unit

A prospective study was carried out in 499 patients admitted to a coronary care unit (CCU) in order to evaluate the incidence of clinically significant electrolyte disturbances. Low serum potassium values (less than 3.6 mmol l) occurred in 7% of the CCU patients and low serum magnesium values (less than 0.70 mmol l-1) in 6%. Few patients had low values of both these ions (1.9%). In 49 patients the contents of these electrolytes in muscle biopsies were similar to the values of control subjects and were unrelated to treatment with diuretics. Serum calcium was determined in 444 of the patients and was above the reference range in 11 (2.5%). If we consider their concomitant parathyroid hormone (PTH) values, primary hyperparathyroidism was likely to occur in at least seven patients (1.5%). Patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) had mean PTH and electrolyte values similar to those of individuals without this disease. In conclusion, the present study indicates that clinically important disturbances of magnesium, potassium or calcium homeostasis are rare among unselected patients admitted to a CCU.