[The effect of short-term hyperventilation on the concentration of ionized serum calcium].

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE:

Paraesthesias and carpopedal spasms on hyperventilation are explained by a reduction in ionised serum calcium (ISC). We tested whether 5-minute hyperventilation changes the concentration of ISC.

SUBJECTS AND METHOD:

Arterial blood samples were obtained via a small plastic catheter introduced into the femoral artery of ten healthy male volunteers (mean age 33 years) before, during and after 5 minutes of hyperventilation, which was achieved by deep and rapid breathing and considered adequate when the end-expiratory pCO2 had fallen to 2.5 kPA within the first minute and remained below this level during the remaining 4 minutes. These criteria were met in nine of the ten patients. The ISC concentration was measured with an ion-selective electrode, the pH, paCO2 and bicarbonate levels with an autoanalyser.

RESULTS:

Paraesthesias of the fingers and hand occurred in nine of the volunteers, carpopedal spasms in seven. Despite a definite rise in pH from 7.39 +/- 0.02 to 7.75 +/- 0.045, the concentration of ISC did not change significantly during the hyperventilation.

CONCLUSION:

Paraesthesias and carpopedal spasms which occur during hyperventilation are not caused by a fall in ionised serum calcium in arterial blood.

• Authors: J Steurer, P Pei, W Vetter
• Journal: Deutsche medizinische Wochenschrift (1946) (Dtsch Med Wochenschr) Vol. 122 Issue 28-29 Pg. 887-9 (Jul 11 1997) ISSN: 0012-0472 [Print] Germany
• Vernacular Title: Einfluss einer kurzzeitigen Hyperventilation auf die Konzentration des ionisierten Serumcalciums.
• PMID: 9264919 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, English Abstract, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Bicarbonates
• Ions
• Carbon Dioxide
• Calcium

Topics

• Adult
• Bicarbonates (blood)
• Calcium (blood)
• Carbon Dioxide (blood)
• Foot
• Hand
• Humans
• Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
• Hyperventilation (blood, complications)
• Ions
• Male
• Paresthesia (blood, etiology)
• Partial Pressure
• Reference Values
• Spasm (blood, etiology)
• Time Factors