Changes in ionized calcium in ethylene glycol poisoning
Roberts Stašinskis1,2, Katrīna Stašinska2, Maksims Mukāns2
1Riga East University Hospital, Riga, Latvia.
Proceedings (Baylor University. Medical Center)
|June 27, 2022
Summary
Low ionized calcium levels are common in ethylene glycol poisoning, especially with metabolic acidosis. Monitoring calcium may help assess poisoning severity and predict complications like kidney injury or death.
Area of Science:
- Toxicology
- Clinical Chemistry
Background:
- Ethylene glycol poisoning is a serious medical condition often diagnosed clinically.
- Hypocalcemia is a known complication, linked to calcium oxalate crystal formation.
- Current diagnostic methods rely on clinical suspicion and non-specific tests.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and significance of hypocalcemia in ethylene glycol poisoning.
- To evaluate ionized calcium concentration as a potential marker for poisoning severity and complications.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of clinical records of patients diagnosed with ethylene glycol poisoning.
- Analysis of blood gas samples, lactate, ionized calcium, and serum creatinine.
- Comparison of these parameters across different patient groups.
Main Results:
- 59% of patients presented with low ionized calcium.
- Low ionized calcium was associated with a blood pH <7.3 in 79% of cases.
- Decreased ionized calcium correlated with metabolic acidosis, acute kidney injury, and mortality.
Conclusions:
- Low ionized calcium is a frequent and significant finding in ethylene glycol poisoning.
- Ionized calcium concentration, alongside blood pH, can aid in risk assessment and stratification of poisoning severity.
- This marker may help predict complications and guide clinical management.
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