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Calcium and the anaesthetist
1Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, University Hospital of Wales, Heath Park, Cardiff CF14 4XW, UK.
Insights
This review covers calcium
Area of Science:
- Physiology and pathophysiology of calcium homeostasis.
Background:
- Calcium is vital for numerous essential physiological functions.
- Understanding calcium pathophysiology is crucial for anesthesiologists.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the physiology, regulation, clinical features, causes, and treatment of calcium alterations.
- To highlight the impact of acid-base status, blood transfusion, and cardiopulmonary bypass on calcium levels.
- To summarize calcium's role in ischemic/reperfusion injury and myocardial stunning.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on calcium homeostasis and its clinical implications.
Main Results:
- Detailed discussion of calcium's physiological roles and regulatory mechanisms.
- Exploration of clinical manifestations, etiologies, and therapeutic strategies for calcium dysregulation.
- Analysis of specific factors influencing circulating calcium, including acid-base balance and medical procedures.
- Summary of calcium's involvement in myocardial injury.
Conclusions:
- Comprehensive understanding of calcium balance is essential for clinical practice, particularly in anesthesia.
- Specific clinical scenarios significantly impact calcium homeostasis.
- Calcium plays a multifaceted role in critical care and organ injury.
Abstract:
Calcium plays a central role in a large number of physiological actions that are essential for life. It is important therefore that the anaesthetist understands calcium pathophysiology. In this review, the physiology, regulation, clinical features, causes and treatment of alterations in circulating calcium will be discussed. In addition, the effects that acid-base status, massive blood transfusion and cardiopulmonary bypass may have on circulating calcium will be highlighted. Finally, the role that calcium plays in ischaemic/reperfusion injury and myocardial stunning will be summarised.