Applied nutritional investigation: Dose-dependent characteristics of intravenous calcium therapy for hypocalcemic critically ill trauma patients receiving specialized nutritional support

• Published in: Nutrition (Burbank, Los Angeles County, Calif.) Los Angeles County, Calif.), 2007-01, Vol.23 (1), p.9-15
• Main Authors: Dickerson, Roland N, Morgan, Laurie M, Croce, Martin A, Minard, Gayle, Brown, Rex O
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0899-9007
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nut.2006.10.001

Objective The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the dose-dependent characteristics of intravenous calcium gluconate therapy for hypocalcemic critically ill patients. Methods The dose-dependent characteristics of 2 g versus 4 g of intravenous calcium gluconate therapy were evaluated in 25 critically ill, adult multiple trauma patients with hypocalcemia. The calcium gluconate was infused at a rate of 1 g/h for both groups. Patients weighed within 90% to 120% of ideal body weight, had normal renal function, did not receive diuretic therapy, and did not have anasarca. Results Fifteen patients with mild hypocalcemia (serum ionized calcium concentration [iCa] 1-1.12 mmol/L) were given 2 g of calcium gluconate. Ten patients with moderate to severe hypocalcemia (iCa