Hypocalcemic syndromes.
Hypocalcemia is common in the ICU and is a marker of poor prognosis. The mechanisms behind the low calcium levels include extravasation, increased chelation, intracellular overload of calcium, and an altered parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion. Hypocalcemia and an altered PTH secretion seem to be related to systemic inflammation, but it is not known today if this response is appropriate or not. Therefore, a general supplementation with calcium in these patients cannot be recommended at this stage.
Carlstedt
F
F
Department of Medical Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. fredrik.carlstedt@post.utfors.se
Lind
L
L
D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015220:Calcium Channels / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D006996:Hypocalcemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
D015220:Calcium Channels; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D002118:Calcium