Definition
Hypocalcemia typically prolongs the Q-T interval on electrocardiograms and may lead to complete heart block.
Other signs and symptoms include mental status changes, tetany, laryngospasm, Chvostek (facial nerve) and Trousseau (brachial artery occlusion) signs, hypotension, and arrhythmias.
Hypercalcemia (increased serum calcium) produces a quicker ventricular repolarization and therefore shorter Q-T interval.
Hypocalemia
- Cardiac: prolonged QT and possible heart block. Hypotension, other arrhythmias
- Neurologic: MS changes, tetany, laryngospasm, Chvostek (facial n.) and Trousseau (brachial a.) signs
Subspecialty
Related Media
Keyword history
75%/2010
See Also:
Sources
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Miller, RD et al. Miller’s Anesthesia, 7th ed, Churchill Livingstone: p 1712. 2009
