Evaluation of calcium levels in patients taking blood and blood products in the Emergency Department

The aim: We compared the calcium levels before and after transfusion in our patients who received blood and blood products in the emergency department. We examined whether or not transfusion-related hypocalcemia develops. We planned this study to determine if it is clinically significant. Materials and Methods: This study has been carried out with 242 participants who applied to Gazi University Health Research and Application Center Adult Emergency Service in Ankara province with blood and blood product transfusion indication. Ionized calcium level was studied from the blood taken for routine examinations before the transfusion in the emergency department. The control calcium levels of the patients were determined after the transfusion process. The difference between calcium values was examined. The data were analyzed with the SPSS 20.0 program. Results: The calcium values after taking the blood product were examined according to the type and number of blood products taken by the participants in the study. The mean corrected calcium value of the participants who received apheresis after taking the blood product was 8.26 (± 0.71), the value of those who did not receive apheresis was 9.09 (± 0.49). The ionized calcium value of the participants receiving apheresis after taking blood product was 1.04 (±0.08), the value of those who did not receive apheresis was 1.15 (±0.11). Average ionized calcium value of the participants after taking non-FFP blood product 1.16 (± 0.11). Ionized calcium level of participants receiving 1, 2, 3 and at least 4 units of FFP was 1.16 (±0.25), 1.13 (±0.09), 1.02 (±0.05) and 1.07 (±0.09) respectively. Conclusion: With this study, we have shown that transfusion-related hypocalcemia may develop, even at mild levels, in patients who received blood and blood product in the emergency department. We can say that even if the degree of hypocalcemia increases according to the type of blood product and the number of units applied, the clinical effects of it will be almost negligible. Key Words: Emergency Medicine, Ankara, Blood, Blood Products, Transfusion, Hypocalcemia