[Hypo and hypercalcemia as an emergency]

Abstract

1. Hypo- and hypercalcemia can be explained as derangements of the calcium homeostasis. Hypocalcemic tetany usually alarming the patient tremendously is, at least in adults, rarely life-threatening. Hypercalcemia leads in 30% of the cases to clinical symptoms which may inadvertedly pass into a state of hypercalcemic crisis. This latter requires an often difficult emergency treatment. 2. Hypocalcemic tetany may be reversed by administering calcium i.v. or, in severe cases, by a calcium infusion. Only rarely are magnesium supplements necessary to let the tetany disappear. Vitamin D or dihydrotachysterol (DHT) do not correct hypocalcemia immediately, since their effects may be delayed up to 15-25 days. In order to normalize the serum calcium permanently, vitamin D or DHT treatment should be instituted as rarely as possible. 3. Initially, hypercalcemic crisis is best treated by forced intravenous fluid administration with normal saline (and furosemide) in combination with high doses of prednisone. Fluid-, sodium- and potassium balances ought to be checked during this type of treatment. A first evaluation of the effectiveness of these measures is recommended after 24 hours: treatment is continued in patients who respond favorably, while subjects who do not show a significant decrease of the serum calcium may either be given a phosphate infusion or mithramycine as a bolus. Calcitonin appears to be useful only to start treatment before institution of a phosphate infusion.