Abstract
BACKGROUND:Hypocalcaemia is a commonly encountered problem in critically ill patients, and it has been shownto correlate with increased ICU stay and mortality.OBJECTIVE:This study is to estimate serum ionized calcium level and to evaluate whether calcium adjusted foralbumin accurately predicts ionized calcium concentrations.PATIENT AND METHOD:Cross sectional study conducted to 47 randomly selected adult patients admitted in Baghdadteaching hospital/ ICU from June 2014-october 2014. Ionized Ca level was determined using ionspecific electrode methodology, on heparinised plasma. The total Ca concentration was adjustedfor serum Albumin.RESULTS:From total 47 patients, 40 patients were showed low serum calcium level (mean 6.79 mg/dl), and82 were showed low corrected s.calcium (mean 7.77 mg/dl).Low serum albumin was independently associated with hypocalcaemia on admission. 30 patients(63.83%) reported low total S. alb. mean s. albumin where 2.8mmol.
Recommended Citation
Saadoon, Ali Sh.; Mahdi, Faez A.; and Ahmad, Samad M.
(2016)
"Estimation of Ionized Calcium Concentration in Critically Ill Patients,"
Iraqi Postgraduate Medical Journal: Vol. 15:
Iss.
2, Article 18.
Available at:
https://www.ipmj.org/journal/vol15/iss2/18