Ionized Calcium SYSTEMIC CRRT
Continuous Renal Replacement Therapy
Test Codes
EPIC: LAB5341, SOFT: CAIOC
Instructions
This test is only available for order on inpatients.
Specimen Collection Criteria
Collect: Arterial or venous whole blood specimen in a heparinized blood gas syringe from a systemic IV access line distal from the calcium chloride IV infusion. The specimen should NOT be drawn from sites immediately pre-filtration (would be diluted and contain some citrate), or immediately post-filtration (where the replacement calcium infusion is).
- This specimen is collected by nursing staff only.
- A 1 mL or 3 mL plastic syringe containing dry heparin is preferred for specimen collection.
- At least 1-2 mL (0.3 mL for pediatric patients) of blood is needed to ensure proper assay.
- For specimens collected by syringe, any air bubbles present in the syringe must be immediately expelled, the needle removed, and the syringe tightly capped. The syringe is rolled between the palms of the hands to ensure mixing.
- Note: The Radiometer safePico Self-fillTM syringe has a metal ball to ensure homogeneous mixing when the syringe is rolled between the palms of the hands.
- The specimen must be properly labeled.
- Place on wet ice for transport. Ice and Specimen must be kept separated.
- Suggested: Place specimen in front pocket of the biohazard bag. Place ice in zip lock section of biohazard bag.
- The specimen must be transported immediately to the STAT Laboratory (Royal Oak) or to the Chemistry Laboratory (Troy and Grosse Pointe).
Rejection Criteria
Specimens not collected and processed as indicated.
Inpatient Specimen Preparation
The specimen must be transported STAT, on wet ice, to the STAT Laboratory (Royal Oak) or Chemistry Laboratory (Grosse Pointe and Troy).
In-Lab Processing
Immediately analyze the whole blood, heparinized, iced specimen upon receipt.
Storage
Specimen Stability for Testing:
Room Temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): Unacceptable
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 1 hour
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): Unacceptable
Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:
Specimens are disposed within 8 hours of testing.
Laboratory
Grosse Pointe Chemistry Laboratory
Royal Oak STAT Laboratory
Troy Chemistry Laboratory
Performed
Sunday – Saturday, 24 hours a day.
Results available within 15 minutes of receipt in the Laboratory.
Reference Range
Target Range: 4.48-5.28 mg/dL.
Test Methodology
Potentiometry.
Interpretation
Calcium chloride rate titrations are determined by the systemic ionized calcium level (mg/dL), drawn from the patient via arterial or peripheral line. It should NOT be drawn from sites immediately pre-filtration (would be diluted with fluid and contain some citrate), or immediately post-filtration (where the replacement calcium infusion is). The systemic ionized calcium will be determined at baseline stat and Q3hrs x 2, then Q6hrs after initiation of citrate use with CRRT.
Clinical Utility
For patients in the ICU receiving regional citrate anticoagulation with continuous renal replacement therapy, calcium chloride is infused into the Afferent line (blood going back into patient) to normalize the patient's systemic calcium level, after chelation with citrate, and intentional hypocalcemia regionally in the CRRT circuit. Calcium chloride infusion rate titrations are determined by systemic ionized calcium levels (mg/dL).
CPT Codes
82330
Contacts
STAT Laboratory – RO
248-898-0326
Name: STAT Laboratory – RO
Location:
Phone: 248-898-0326
Chemistry Laboratory – GP
313-473-1807
Name: Chemistry Laboratory – GP
Location:
Phone: 313-473-1807
Chemistry Laboratory – TR
248-964-8070
Name: Chemistry Laboratory – TR
Location:
Phone: 248-964-8070
Last Updated
4/28/2020
Microtainer® and Vacutainer® are registered trademarks of Becton, Dickinson and Company.
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This directory currently reflects information only for specimens collected and/or processed at the
Farmington Hills, Grosse Pointe, Royal Oak, and Troy campuses.