title: Severe hypocalcemia and life-threatening ventricular arrhytmias: case report and proposal of a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm.
abstract: Hypocalcemia is frequent in the setting of endocrine disorders, bone diseases and renal failure. When hypocalcemia is severe it can predispose to life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias; in such cases a rapid admission to hospital and a prompt correction of electrolyte imbalance are needed. We report the case of an old patient suffering from renal failure that was admitted to our cardiac step-down unit because of severe hypocalcemia associated with ventricular arrhythmias. Hypocalcemia was promptly treated and an endocrinologic consult was requested for investigating the causes of this electrolyte imbalance. Our experience suggests the creation of a new synergy between cardiologists and endocrinologists that led us to build a simple and schematic algorithm for the diagnosis and treatment of hypocalcemia.
authors.affiliation: Cardiac Step-Down Unit, Department of Heart and Vessels, Careggi Hospital and University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cecchi
authors.affiliation: Cardiac Step-Down Unit, Department of Heart and Vessels, Careggi Hospital and University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Grossi
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology Unit, Careggi Hospital and University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Matteo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rossi
authors.affiliation: Cardiac Step-Down Unit, Department of Heart and Vessels, Careggi Hospital and University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Giglioli
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology Unit, Careggi Hospital and University of Florence, Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria Laura
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: De Feo
keywords: diagnostic algorhytm; hypocalcemia; ventricular arrhythmias
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