Abstract

Serum calcium concentration (T-Ca), serum ionized Ca (Ca++) and calcium balance were measured in 14 patients on maintenance hemodialysis, using the dialysate with calcium comcentration of 3.5mEq/l (3.5 dialysate), 3.0mEq/l (3.0 dialysate) and 2.5mEq/l (2.5 dialysate), T-Ca and Ca⁺⁺ showed a significant increase at the end point of hemodialysis compared with the starting point, when 3.5 dialysate and 3.0 dialysate were used. When 2.5 dialysate was used, T-Ca showed no change, where as Ca⁺⁺ was decreased significantly. Ca balance showed negative with any kind of dialysate tested. From these results, 2.5 dialysate can be regarded as most desiarable to be used for the patients who have the posibility of hypercalcemia with the simultaneous administration of active VD₃ and calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). As Ca⁺⁺ at the beginning and Ca balance showed significant correlation in each Ca concentration of dialysate and as the concentration difference after subtracting Ca⁺⁺ or T-Ca value at the starting point from the actually measured Ca concentration of dialysate (C_Di) significant correlation with Ca balance of all the cases, C_Di, Ca and Ca⁺⁺ measured at the starting point can suggest the Ca balance and therefore can be useful indexes when we consider with the dose of VD₃ or CaCO₃ and the optimum Ca concentration of dialysate.