Ionized calcium in plasma during cardiopulmonary bypass.

The composition of the priming fluid in the heart-lung machine is of importance for the homeostasis of the patient during and after cardiopulmonary bypass. We have studied the effect of 5 different priming solutions on the degree of ionization of calcium. The primingsolutions all contained 1700 ml of a basic solution and 800 ml of one of the following solutions: CPD-plasma CPD-plasma added heparine and CaCl2 heparinized plasma 5% albumin in saline 6% dextran 70 in saline. With CPD-plasma in the priming solution, the concentration of ionized calcium dropped to very low values, followed by a normalization during the next 30 minutes, as the citrate disappeared. The addition of CaCl2 to CPD-plasma prevented the abrupt initial drop, but resulted later on in values above the normal range. Heparinized plasma, albumin, and dextran in the priming solution lead to small changes only. Bolus injections of CaCl2 during weaning from bypass resulted in substantial increases in ionized calcium, while the use of CPD-blood products lead to decreases. Citrate has great affinity to calcium ions, making strong complexes. When significant amounts of citrate are used, the level of ionized calcium cannot be predicted, but has to be measured directly. These measurements must be performed frequently.