Influence of twenty-five per cent human serum albumin on total and ionizedcalcium concentrations in vivo

Background: A inverse correlation has been found between changes in ionized calcium concentrations and the addition of albumin in vitro, which may exp lain adverse cardiovascular effects attributed to exogenous albumin in vivo . The purpose of this investigation was to determine the interaction (if an y) between exogenous 25% albumin administration (100 ml given over < 30 min ) and calcium concentrations in patients, all but one of whom were in an in tensive care unit. Results: There were no significant differences in the ionized calcium conce ntrations obtained before, at the end and 6 h after the administration of a lbumin (1.09 +/- 0.23, 1.06 +/- 0.22, 1.06 +/- 0.21 mmol/l, respectively). Similarly, there were no significant differences in the total calcium conce ntrations between these same time periods (2.03 +/- 0.18, 2.05 +/- 0.20, 2. 08 +/- 0.23 mmol/l, respectively). Conclusions: In patients receiving infusions of 25% albumin, it appears tha t circulating calcium concentrations are well regulated by homeostatic mech anisms. Albumin infusions had no effect on calcium concentrations, although it is possible that temporary changes of questionable clinical importance may have occurred between measurement periods.