Abstract
Hypocalcemia is a serious condition which has a major impact on the transmission of nerve impulses, contraction and relaxation of muscles (including myocardial) and pathological secretion of some hormones. The basic causal treatment is the parenteral administration of calcium, namely calcium gluconate, calcium chloride or calcium gluceptate.
Parenteral formulations of these compounds must meet pharmacopoeial requirements, including the aluminum content limit. Each of these molecules has its specific properties that predict their clinical use.
In addition to hypocalcemia, they are used to influence a variety of other conditions, such as fluoride or oxalic acid poisoning, decreased myocardial contractility caused by overdose of calcium intake blockers or beta blockers. They are also used as part of parenteral nutrition AIO or as an ancillary treatment for acute allergic conditions, itchy dermatitis, weeping and generalized eczema, continuous renal replacement therapy, seizure convulsion, laryngospasm, bronchospasm and altered mental status.
The role of calcium replacement in septic patients remains unclear and requires further study. Although it may appear that calcium chloride infusion solutions provide greater and more highly ionized amounts of calcium, gluconate salts are preferred due to considerably less irritation of the vessel wall and better compatibility with other nutrients in parenteral nutrition.