Ace the Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support Test 2025 – Pump Up Your Skills and Save Lives!

Calcium chloride is indicated in specific situations during Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), particularly in cases of severe hyperkalemia or calcium channel blocker overdose.

In the setting of severe hyperkalemia, elevated potassium levels in the blood can significantly impact myocardial cell function and can lead to life-threatening arrhythmias. Calcium chloride works by stabilizing the cardiac membrane, thereby reducing the risk of dysrhythmias associated with high potassium levels. It also helps to counteract the effects of hyperkalemia on the heart, which can manifest as peaked T-waves, widening of the QRS complex, and other life-threatening changes on the electrocardiogram (ECG).

In instances of calcium channel blocker overdose, calcium chloride acts as a physiological antagonist, competing with calcium channel blockers for binding sites and mitigating the cardiovascular effects of the overdose, such as profound hypotension and bradycardia. By administering calcium chloride, healthcare providers can protect cardiac tissue.

Given these mechanisms, the use of calcium chloride in both severe hyperkalemia and calcium channel blocker overdose is crucial for improving outcomes in critically ill patients during ACLS protocols.