dialysis and hypercalcemia

Q: Dialysis can be used as a last resort in the treatment of refractory hypercalcemia?

A) True

B) False

Answer: A

Dialysis can be used as an effective therapy for refractory or emergent hypercalcemia, with little or no calcium in the dialysis fluid. Patients who may not be able to handle saline or intravenous (IV) resuscitation, or with severe malignancy-associated hypercalcemia can be a candidate. A nephrologist should be consulted to prescribe the dialysis solutions to avoid other metabolic derangements.

#electrolytes

#nephrology

References:

1. Basok AB, Rogachev B, Haviv YS, Vorobiov M. Treatment of extreme hypercalcaemia: the role of haemodialysis. BMJ Case Rep. 2018 Jun 4;2018:bcr2017223772. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2017-223772. PMID: 29866671; PMCID: PMC5990060.

2. Koo WS, Jeon DS, Ahn SJ, et al. Calcium-free hemodialysis for the management of hypercalcemia. Nephron 1996; 72:424.