title: Hydrofluoric acid-induced hypocalcemia.
abstract: Among patients exposed to hydrofluoric acid the potentially lethal effect of calcium depletion induced by binding with fluoride ion has not been well reported. Three patients exposed to hydrofluoric acid had acute fluoride poisoning with serum calcium levels equal to or below 4.1 mgm/dl. Treatment included administration of large amounts of calcium, both intravenously and by subsechar injection, to replenish the biologically active calcium and to bind fluoride. This report describes successful treatment of two survivors, apparently the first two, of severe hypocalcemia caused by hydrofluoric acid.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Greco
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Hartford
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Haith
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Patton
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000150:complications*; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006858:Hydrofluoric Acid / Q000506:poisoning*; D006996:Hypocalcemia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
chemical_list: D006858:Hydrofluoric Acid; D002118:Calcium