A liquid calcium+vitamin D3 supplement is effective prophylaxis against hypocalcemic toxicity during apheresis platelet donation

We examined whether repeated prophylactic doses of calcium carbonate, or of a liquid preparation containing calcium citrate, calcium phosphate, and vitamin D3, would be more effective at preventing symptoms of hypocalcemic toxicity. Symptoms were reported by 48% of donors who received no prophylaxis and 60% of donors who received 1000 mg of oral calcium carbonate at the start of, and every 20 minutes during, donation (P = 0.711). Only 19.2% of donors who received the liquid preparation (1000 mg calcium, 1000 IU vitamin D3) reported symptoms (P = 0.040 versus no prophylaxis, P = 0.039 versus calcium carbonate). This difference was not because of gender, weight, age, or blood volume of the donor. Neither calcium preparation prevented a measurable fall in plasma ionized calcium during donation. We conclude that liquid calcium citrate/calcium phosphate/vitamin D3 provides effective prophylaxis against hypocalcemic toxicity during platelet donation, however it does not prevent a fall in plasma ionized calcium.
Source: Journal of Clinical Apheresis - Category: Hematology Authors: Tags: RESEARCH ARTICLE Source Type: research