Effect of Ionized Calcium Level on the Prognosis and Mortality of Patients with Pulmonary Embolism

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ionized calcium level on the prognosis and mortality of patients with pulmonary embolism. Materials and method: A total of 165 patients over 18 years of age, who had been hospitalized due to pulmonary embolism were retrospectively evaluated. A significant relation was determined between mortality and low systolic blood pressure (p<0.05), low diastolic blood pressure (p<0.05) and tachycardia (p<0.05). The relation between mortality and high levels of urea (p<0.05), creatinine (p<0.05), d-dimer (p<0.05), CK-MB (p<0.05), troponin (p<0.05) and lactate (p<0.05) was also significant. The relation between mortality and duration of intensive care unit stay (p<0.05), hospital stay (p<0.05) and duration of mechanical ventilation (p<0.05) was also significant, whereas no relation was determined between the ionized calcium level and mortality (p=0.154). However, a significant relation was determined between the high level of ionized calcium and duration of mechanical ventilation (p=0.019). Additionally, the relation between right bundle branch block in ECG and mortality was found to be significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: Although no direct relation was determined between the level of ionized calcium and mortality in pulmonary embolism, it may be useful in predicting the duration of mechanical ventilation.