The effect of thermal injury on the loss of calcium from calcium loaded red cells: its relationship to red cell function and patient survival.
The loss of calcium from in vitro loaded red cells from burned patients was investigated and related to cell hydration, deformability and the intra-extracellular pH difference. Episodes of delayed calcium extrusion were evident in all patients and associated with low cell water and high intracellular calcium and sodium. The pH gradient decreased, although whole blood pH remained normal. These abnormalities were reversible. Surviving patients reverted to normal in about one week with very brief recurrences. Fatal burns remained abnormal much longer and reversal to normal was very brief. Calcium extrusion and intracellular cations were always abnormal before death. Frequent extensive blood transfusions favourably affected the red cell abnormalities. Persistent delayed extrusion of calcium from in vitro red cells indicates poor prognosis for recovery.
D000328:Adult; D001834:Body Water / Q000378:metabolism; D002056:Burns / Q000097:blood* / Q000401:mortality; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood*; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005374:Filtration; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011188:Potassium / Q000097:blood; D012964:Sodium / Q000097:blood / Q000652:urine
D012964:Sodium; D011188:Potassium; D002118:Calcium