Severe hypocalcemia after denosumab treatment leading to refractory ventricular tachycardia and veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support: a case report.
Denosumab
Hypocalcemia
Intra-aortic balloon pump
Veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Ventricular tachycardia
Journal
International journal of emergency medicine
ISSN: 1865-1372
Titre abrégé: Int J Emerg Med
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101469435
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
28 Aug 2023
28 Aug 2023
Historique:
received:
30
03
2023
accepted:
20
08
2023
medline:
28
8
2023
pubmed:
28
8
2023
entrez:
27
8
2023
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
Severe hypocalcemia may lead to life-threatening arrhythmias. Denosumab is an effective treatment for osteoporosis that allows long intervals between doses. However, there is a risk of hypocalcemia in some patients. Due to the long half-life of denosumab, emergency physicians caring for patients presenting with symptoms of hypocalcemia may not be aware of the medication, and adverse effects may last longer. A 55-year-old woman with a history of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and anxiety disorder called for an ambulance for symptoms of hyperventilation and muscle cramps. After evaluation at the local hospital, she developed pulseless ventricular tachycardia and was resuscitated by defibrillation by the hospital staff. After conversion to sinus rhythm, she was transported to a tertiary center. Upon arrival, pulseless ventricular tachycardia occurred again, and veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) were implemented. Laboratory results showed severe hypocalcemia (corrected calcium level of 5.3 mg/dL) whereupon intravenous calcium supplementation was started. She had received the first dose of denosumab (60 mg) by subcutaneous injection 24 days prior to hospitalization. She was eventually weaned from ECMO and IABP support. Cardiac arrest due to hypocalcemia is relatively rare but can be fatal. In the present case, hyperventilation may have acutely exacerbated pre-existing hypocalcemia, leading to ventricular tachycardia. The patient had a slightly decreased serum calcium level prior to denosumab. Close monitoring may be preferable after the primary dose of denosumab in selected patients. Emergency physicians caring for patients who may be suffering from symptoms/signs of hypocalcemia must be mindful of medications that have long half-lives and affect electrolyte balance when treating fatal arrhythmia due to hypocalcemia.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
Severe hypocalcemia may lead to life-threatening arrhythmias. Denosumab is an effective treatment for osteoporosis that allows long intervals between doses. However, there is a risk of hypocalcemia in some patients. Due to the long half-life of denosumab, emergency physicians caring for patients presenting with symptoms of hypocalcemia may not be aware of the medication, and adverse effects may last longer.
CASE PRESENTATION
METHODS
A 55-year-old woman with a history of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and anxiety disorder called for an ambulance for symptoms of hyperventilation and muscle cramps. After evaluation at the local hospital, she developed pulseless ventricular tachycardia and was resuscitated by defibrillation by the hospital staff. After conversion to sinus rhythm, she was transported to a tertiary center. Upon arrival, pulseless ventricular tachycardia occurred again, and veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) and intra-aortic balloon pumping (IABP) were implemented. Laboratory results showed severe hypocalcemia (corrected calcium level of 5.3 mg/dL) whereupon intravenous calcium supplementation was started. She had received the first dose of denosumab (60 mg) by subcutaneous injection 24 days prior to hospitalization. She was eventually weaned from ECMO and IABP support.
CONCLUSION
CONCLUSIONS
Cardiac arrest due to hypocalcemia is relatively rare but can be fatal. In the present case, hyperventilation may have acutely exacerbated pre-existing hypocalcemia, leading to ventricular tachycardia. The patient had a slightly decreased serum calcium level prior to denosumab. Close monitoring may be preferable after the primary dose of denosumab in selected patients. Emergency physicians caring for patients who may be suffering from symptoms/signs of hypocalcemia must be mindful of medications that have long half-lives and affect electrolyte balance when treating fatal arrhythmia due to hypocalcemia.
Identifiants
pubmed: 37635211
doi: 10.1186/s12245-023-00529-6
pii: 10.1186/s12245-023-00529-6
pmc: PMC10463425
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Pagination
52Informations de copyright
© 2023. Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.
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