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Case Report

An Unusual Coexistence of Single Vessel Coronary Artery Disease and Hypokalaemia Periodic Paralysis

Girish Kulle, Anita Rawat, Kishalay Datta

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Indian Journal of Emergency Medicine 12(2):p 92-96, April-June 2026. | DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/ijem.2395.311X.12226.6

How Cite This Article:

Girish Kulle, Anita Rawat, Kishalay Datta. An Unusual Coexistence of Single Vessel Coronary Artery Disease and Hypokalaemia Periodic Paralysis. Ind J Emerg Med. 2026; 12(2): 92-96.

Timeline

Received : January 17, 2026         Accepted : February 20, 2026          Published : June 30, 2026

Abstract

We present a rare case highlighting the unusual coexistence of single vessel coronary artery disease (CAD) and hypokalemic periodic paralysis (HPP) in a middle-aged male. The patient presented to the emergency department with acute onset chest discomfort, generalized muscle weakness, and difficulty in mobility. Initial evaluation revealed hypokalemia, confirmed on serum electrolyte analysis, alongside electrocardiographic changes suggestive of myocardial ischemia. Subsequent coronary angiography demonstrated significant stenosis of a single major coronary artery. HPP, a channelopathy characterized by recurrent episodes of muscle weakness due to low serum potassium, is rarely reported in conjunction with structural cardiac disease such as CAD. This unique presentation posed a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, as both conditions required simultaneous yet cautious management to avoid exacerbation of either pathology. Potassium replacement therapy resulted in complete neurological recovery, while percutaneous coronary intervention addressed the underlying ischemic burden. This case underscores the importance of considering concurrent metabolic and structural cardiac disorders in patients with atypical presentations, and highlights the need for integrated, multidisciplinary management to optimize outcomes. To our knowledge, documented reports of such coexistence remain scarce, making this case a valuable contribution to the literature.


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Data Sharing Statement

There are no additional data available. All raw data and code are available upon request.

Funding

This research received no funding.

Author Contributions

All authors contributed significantly to the work and approve its publication.

Ethics Declaration

This article does not involve any human or animal subjects, and therefore does not require ethics approval.

Acknowledgements

We would like to express our gratitude to the patients, their families, and all those who have contributed to this study.

Conflicts of Interest

No conflicts of interest in this work.


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Cite this article

Girish Kulle, Anita Rawat, Kishalay Datta. An Unusual Coexistence of Single Vessel Coronary Artery Disease and Hypokalaemia Periodic Paralysis. Ind J Emerg Med. 2026; 12(2): 92-96.


Licence:

Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.


Received Accepted Published
January 17, 2026 February 20, 2026 June 30, 2026

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21088/ijem.2395.311X.12226.6

Keywords

Coronary Artery DiseaseHypokalaemia Periodic Paralysis

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Received January 17, 2026
Accepted February 20, 2026
Published June 30, 2026

licence


Attribution-Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

This license enables reusers to distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format for noncommercial purposes only, and only so long as attribution is given to the creator.


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