Predictive value of admission ionized calcium levels for identifying septi̇c shock in emergency department patients diagnosed with sepsis

Objective: In our study, we aimed to analyze the difference between sepsis and septic shock in the ionized calcium level at the time of arrival in people over 18 years of age who applied to the emergency department with an infectious clinical condition and to diagnose septic shock early. Method: Our study was planned as a prospective, analytical and cohort study. 223 patients who applied to the emergency department of a tertiary university hospital with an infectious clinical condition were included in the study. Blood gas and biochemical analyses were performed on blood samples taken from all patients at the time of arrival. Among the patients diagnosed with sepsis, those who did not need vasoactive agents were in the sepsis group, and those who did not were in the septic shock group. The diagnosis and treatments of the patients were determined according to current guidelines during the follow-up in the emergency department. Results: The mean ionized calcium levels were found to be low. No significant difference was found between the groups in terms of ionized calcium levels. No relationship was found between ionized calcium and 7- and 28-day mortality. No relationship was found between other parameters and mortality. Conclusion No significant relationship was found between ionized calcium levels and mortality. Septic shock patients can be detected early with some other parameters. More comprehensive studies should be conducted on the subject. Keywords: ionized calcium, sepsis, septic shock, mortality