Spurious hypocalcemia in hemodialysis patients after heparinization. In-vitro formation of calcium soaps.

Abstract

Patients on long-term hemodialysis via arteriovenous fistula received heparin when the fistula needle was inserted, before a sample of blood was obtained for chemical analysis. The resultant release of lipoprotein lipase activity in vivo and continued lipolytic activity in vitro sometimes produced sufficient free fatty acid to precipitate calcium soaps. The consequent spurious hypocalcemia was most frequently observed when the patients had chylomicronemia. This cause of apparent hypocalcemia was eliminated either by immediate analyses of the blood samples or by obtaining samples before systemic heparinization.

• Authors: W Godolphin, E C Cameron, J Frohlich, J D Price
• Journal: American journal of clinical pathology (Am J Clin Pathol) Vol. 71 Issue 2 Pg. 215-8 (Feb 1979) ISSN: 0002-9173 [Print] England
• PMID: 425936 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Triglycerides
• Heparin
• Calcium

Topics

• Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical
• Calcium (analysis)
• Chyle (analysis)
• Electrophoresis, Agar Gel
• Heparin (administration & dosage, adverse effects)
• Humans
• Hypocalcemia (etiology)
• In Vitro Techniques
• Injections, Intravenous
• Renal Dialysis (adverse effects)
• Time Factors
• Triglycerides (analysis)