Intravenous calcium treatment of refractory hypotension in Reye's syndrome

R. Jones and J. A. Thompson

Hypotension refractory to volume infusion and sympathomimetic drugs developed in a child with Reye's syndrome who had received prochlorperazine prior to admission. Calcium chloride given intravenously restored autonomic tone, resulting in restoration of a normal BP and cerebral perfusion pressure. Calcium may reverse the hypotensive effects of prochlorperazine maleate and may help reverse hypotension in patients with Reye's syndrome who have been pretreated with phenothiazine antiemetics.