Hypocalcemia in acute pancreatitis revisited

Indian J Crit Care Med. 2016 Mar;20(3):173-7. doi: 10.4103/0972-5229.178182.

Abstract

Hypocalcemia is a frequent finding in acute pancreatitis. Severe hypocalcemia can present with neurological as well as cardiovascular manifestations. Correction of hypocalcemia by parenteral calcium infusion remains a controversial topic as intracellular calcium overload is the central mechanism of acinar cell injury in pancreatitis. The current article deals with the art and science of calcium correction in pancreatitis patients.

Keywords: Acute pancreatitis; calcium; hypocalcemia.