Stone heart

Background

• IV administration of intravenous calcium is thought to be contraindicated in patients with Digitalis Toxicity

• In Stone Heart, calcium may theoretically cause an irreversible non-contractile state by impairing diastolic relaxation from calcium-troponin C binding in the presence of Na/K channel blockade by Digoxin

• The excess calcium may also predispose to arrhythmias by adversely affecting re-polarization

See Also

• Digitalis Toxicity
• Electrolyte Abnormalities

Sources

• Levine M, Nikkanen H, Pallin DJ. The effects of intravenous calcium in patients with digoxin toxicity. J Emerg Med. 2011 Jan;40(1):41-6.