Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Q: Why calcium gluconate is preferred over calcium chloride in usual elemental replacement protocols in ICUs?


Answer: Particularly when intravenous peripheral lines are used for infusion, calcium gluconate is preferred because extravasation causes less tissue necrosis. Moreover, it should be well diluted either in D5W or NS because concentrated calcium is very irritating to veins. Asymptomatic hypocalcemia usually don't require treatment but asymptomatic patients should get replacement if corrected calcium  is less than 7.5 mg/dL as untreated hypocalcemia at this level may cause life threatening complications.



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