Hypercalcemia

Background

• High >10.5 meq/L (>2.7 ionized)
• High! >12.0 meq/L
• 90% of cases a/w malignancy or hyperparathyroidism

Diagnosis

1. Stones (renal calculi)
2. Bones (bone destruction)
3. abd groans (abd pain, N/V, constipation)
4. Psychic moans (lethargy/confusion)

• Polyuria, renal insufficiency
  • Hypokalemia seen in 1/3 of pts

• ECG
  • Prolonged PR & QRS
  • Shortened QT
  • Depressed ST
  • Widened T waves
  • Bradarrhythmias/ heart block

Work-Up

1. Phosphate
2. Lipase
3. UA
4. ECG

DDX

1. Malignancy
2. Hyperparathyroidism
3. Lithium
4. Thiazides
5. Hypothyroidism
6. Addison's
7. Paget's
8. Sarcoid
9. Hyperthyroid
10. Milk-alkali synd
11. Excess vit D

Treatment

Indications

1. >14.0 meq/L
2. symptomatic
3. unable to tolerated PO
4. Abnl renal fx

Treatment

1. Volume repletion (NS 5-10L)
   1. Goal UOP = 500cc/hr
2. Decrease Ca mobilization from bone
   1. Pamidronate 90mg IV over 24 hours
   2. Zoledronic acid 4mg IV over 15 minutes
   3. Calcitonin 4 units/kg SubQ
3. Correct hypokalemia/hypomagnesemia
4. Consider dialysis if anuric, ARF or CHF
5. Furosemide is NOT recommended

See Also

Hypercalcemia of Malignancy

Source

Tintinalli