Calcium salts are administered during cardiac arrest in which one of the following settings?

• A Routine administration in every non-shockable rhythm after adrenaline
• B Cardiac arrest due to hyperkalaemia, hypocalcaemia, or calcium channel blocker toxicity ✓
• C As a first-line ionotropic after ROSC to support blood pressure
• D Cardiac arrest in any patient receiving chronic loop diuretic therapy

Explanation

Calcium chloride 10 mL of 10 percent solution, or calcium gluconate if a central line is absent, is indicated only where a low ionised calcium or high potassium state drives the arrest: hyperkalaemia, hypocalcaemia, and calcium channel blocker overdose. Routine calcium in arrest trials showed no benefit and possible harm from vascular calcification, eliminating option A. Chronic diuretic therapy alone does not mandate it.

Reference: AHA Guidelines for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care, 2020 ed.

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Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.