Background: A inverse correlation has been found between changes in ionized calcium concentrations and the addition of albumin in vitro, which may explain adverse cardiovascular effects attributed to exogenous albumin in vivo. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the interaction (if any) between exogenous 25% albumin administration (100 ml given over < 30 min) and calcium concentrations in patients, all but one of whom were in an intensive care unit.

      Results:
      There were no significant differences in the ionized calcium
            concentrations obtained before, at the end and 6 h after the administration of
            albumin (1.09 ± 0.23, 1.06 ± 0.22, 1.06 ± 0.21 mmol/l,
            respectively). Similarly, there were no significant differences in the total
            calcium concentrations between these same time periods (2.03 ± 0.18,
            2.05 ± 0.20, 2.08 ± 0.23 mmol/l, respectively).


      Conclusions:
      In patients receiving infusions of 25% albumin, it appears that
            circulating calcium concentrations are well regulated by homeostatic
            mechanisms. Albumin infusions had no effect on calcium concentrations, although
            it is possible that temporary changes of questionable clinical importance may
            have occurred between measurement periods.