logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2022
9m 12s

Podcast 186.0: Hypocalcemia

CORE EM
About this episode

A quick primer on hypocalcemia in the ED.

Hosts:
Joseph Offenbacher, MD
Audrey Bree Tse, MD

Download 4 Comments Tags: calcium, Critical Care, Endocrine

Show Notes

Swami’s CoreEM Post

Hypocalcemia Repletion:

  • IV calcium supplementation with 100-300 mg Ca2+ raises serum Ca2+ by 0.5 – 1.5 mEq
  • For acute but mild symptomatic hypocalcemia: 200-1000mg calcium chloride IV or 1-2g IV calcium gluconate over 2 hours
  •  For severe hypocalcemia: 1g calcium chloride IV or 1-2g IV calcium gluconate IV over 10 minutes repeated q 60 min until symptoms resolve

References:

  • Cooper MS, Gittoes NJ. Diagnosis and management of hypocalcaemia. BMJ 2008; 336:1298.
  • ​​Desai TK, Carlson RW, Geheb MA. Prevalence and clinical implications of hypocalcemia in acutely ill patients in a medical intensive care setting. Am J Med 1988; 84:209.
  • Goltzman, D. Diagnostic approach to hypocalcemia. UpToDate. UpToDate; Jul 17, 2020. Accessed April 29, 2022. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/plantar-fasciitis
  • Kelly A, Levine MA. Hypocalcemia in the critically ill patient. J Intensive Care Med 2013; 28:166.
  • Pfenning CL, Slovis CM: Electrolyte Disorders; in Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al (eds): Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice, ed 8. St. Louis, Mosby, Inc., 2014, (Ch) 125: p 1636-53.
  • Swaminathan, A. (2016, January 27). Hypocalcemia. CoreEM. Retrieved April 29, 2022, from https://coreem.net/core/hypocalcemia/
  • Vantour L, Goltzman D. Regulation of calcium homeostasis. In: rimer on the Metabolic Bone Diseases and Disorders of Mineral Metabolism, 9th ed, Bilezikian JP (Ed), Wiley-Blackwell, Hoboken, NJ 2018. p.163.

Read More
Up next
Jul 1
Episode 211: Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis
Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis (GPA) – Recognition and Management in the ED Hosts: Phoebe Draper, MD Brian Gilberti, MD https://media.blubrry.com/coreem/content.blubrry.com/coreem/GPA.mp3 Download Leave a Comment Tags: Rheumatology Show Notes Background A vasculitis affecting s ... Show More
9m 10s
Jun 2
Episode 210: Capacity Assessment
We discuss capacity assessment, patient autonomy, safety, and documentation. Hosts: Anne Levine, MD Brian Gilberti, MD https://media.blubrry.com/coreem/content.blubrry.com/coreem/Capacity_Assessment.mp3 Download One Comment Show Notes The Importance of Capacity Assessment Arises ... Show More
9m 56s
May 1
Episode 209: Blast Crisis
We dive into the recognition and management of blast crisis. Hosts: Sadakat Chowdhury, MD Brian Gilberti, MD https://media.blubrry.com/coreem/content.blubrry.com/coreem/Blast_Crisis.mp3 Download 2 Comments Tags: Hematology, Oncology Show Notes Topic Overview Blast crisis is an on ... Show More
10m 15s
Recommended Episodes
Jul 2022
Podcast 799: EKG Abnormalities in Renal Failure
Contributor: Peter Bakes, MD Educational Pearls: Patients in renal failure may have elevated serum potassium levels which can result in EKG changes.   EKG changes in the setting of hyperkalemia generally depend on the serum level. Mild elevation may cause peaked T waves. At highe ... Show More
4 m
Sep 2023
On The Streets #15: Hydrofluoric Acid Case Review
Contributors: Kalen Abbott, MD - EM Physician and Medical Director for AirLife Denver Brendan Reiss - Flight Nurse AirLife Denver Matt Spoon - Flight Paramedic AirLife Denver Jordan Ourada - EMS Coordinator at Swedish Medical Center and Paramedic Summary: In this episode, hosted ... Show More
41m 11s
Nov 2021
#93 Hyperkalemia in CKD: Mind the Gap Segment
What degree of hyperkalemia makes you worried enough to send your patient to the ED? Are ECG changes sensitive in detecting hyperkalemia? Do you know how to advise your patient on dietary changes? What medications can you effectively use in the outpatient setting?Show notes, Tran ... Show More
30m 18s
Jan 2023
Podcast 845: Hyperkalemic Cardiac Arrest
Contributor: Aaron Lessen, MD Educational Pearls: Hyperkalemia may cause cardiac arrest  Treatment of suspected hyperkalemic cardiac arrest begins with typical management of cardiac arrest including high-quality CPR, defibrillation if appropriate, and resuscitation medications  A ... Show More
4m 27s
Jun 2023
Podcast 855: QT Intervals
​​Contributor: Travis Barlock MD Educational Pearls The QT interval represents phases 2 and 3 of ventricular plateau and repolarization, respectively. As the QT interval lengthens, more sodium and calcium channels are available and susceptible to action potentials. Prolonged QT i ... Show More
4 m
Oct 2023
Podcast 873: Intravesical Tranexamic Acid for Gross Hematuria
Contributor: Aaron Lessen MD Educational Pearls: Tranexamic acid (TXA) is a common medication to achieve hemostasis in a variety of conditions Patients visiting the ED for gross hematuria (between March 2022 and September 2022) were treated with intravesical TXA 1 g tranexamic ac ... Show More
2m 23s
Dec 2018
Chapter 21: Laboratory Medicine
Content covered in this episode includes: [0:35]: Question Dissection: A 17 year old boy is seen in the E.D. with a complaint of muscle weakness.. [6:10] Laboratory medicine chapter of S2S including questions like: - What may cause a false lab report of hyperkalemia? - What effec ... Show More
14m 46s
May 2024
Make SURE You're Not Deficient in This!!!
In this podcast, we’ll discuss the causes and symptoms of potassium deficiency. We need a lot of potassium—around 4700 mg per day! Most people eat a lot of junk food or processed foods high in salt and not enough potassium, which throws off the sodium-potassium ratio. Your body n ... Show More
6m 39s
Apr 2024
The Big REGRET I Had in Practice
In this podcast, I'm going to share one of the biggest regrets I had in practice. I used to recommend 1200 mg of calcium, especially to post-menopausal women for bone health and people with osteoporosis or osteopenia. People with osteoporosis lack calcium in their bones, but ... Show More
7m 28s