title: Calcium and the anaesthetist.
abstract: Calcium plays a central role in a large number of physiological actions that are essential for life. It is important therefore that the anaesthetist understands calcium pathophysiology. In this review, the physiology, regulation, clinical features, causes and treatment of alterations in circulating calcium will be discussed. In addition, the effects that acid-base status, massive blood transfusion and cardiopulmonary bypass may have on circulating calcium will be highlighted. Finally, the role that calcium plays in ischaemic/reperfusion injury and myocardial stunning will be summarised.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XW, UK.
authors.forename: I M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Aguilera
authors.forename: R S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Vaughan
mesh_terms: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation / Q000009:adverse effects; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous / Q000009:adverse effects; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000009:adverse effects; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology*; D003331:Coronary Vessels; D006801:Humans; D006934:Hypercalcemia / Q000150:complications*; D006996:Hypocalcemia / Q000150:complications*; D017202:Myocardial Ischemia / Q000150:complications; D015428:Myocardial Reperfusion Injury / Q000150:complications; D017682:Myocardial Stunning / Q000150:complications
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D018685:Anesthetics, Inhalation; D018686:Anesthetics, Intravenous; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D002118:Calcium