Calcium as a diuretic.

Abstract

Singer 1 reported upon the favorable therapeutic effect of calcium, administered intravenously, in conjunction with digitalis in the conjestive type of heart failure.

Segall and White 2 concluded that calcium chloride may be employed as a diuretic in this type of heart failure.

Eight patients with congestive heart failure in whom rest in bed and digitalis did not completely remove the edema present, were treated with 15 grams of calcium chloride daily, administered orally, in divided doses, over periods varying from one week to 10 days. No significant changes followed in heart rate, blood pressure, electrocardiography, urinary output or body weight. In five of these, marked diuresis and significant loss of body weight with disappearance of the edema present followed the administration of other diuretics. In one of these, another diuretic was tried both before and after the trial of the calcium with excellent response at both times, though none occurred during the period of exhibition of the calcium. (This individual only became edema-free when treated with the combination of rest in bed, digitalis and diuretics. When the diuretics were withdrawn, the edema of the dependent portions of his body gradually returned.)

In two more patients with congestive heart failure of similar functional condition, given daily injection of calcium chloride in 0.5 gram doses, results similar to those obtained by oral administration of the calcium occurred.