Calcium supplementation during trauma resuscitation: a propensity score-matched analysis from the TraumaRegister DGU®

In major trauma patients, hypocalcemia is associated with increased mortality. Despite the absence of strong evidence on causality, early calcium supplementation has been recommended. This study investigates whether calcium supplementation during trauma resuscitation provides a survival benefit. We conducted a retrospective analysis using data from the TraumaRegister DGU® (2015–2019), applying propensity score matching to balance demographics, injury severity, and management between major trauma patients with and without calcium supplementation. 6 h mortality, 24 h mortality, and in-hospital mortality were considered as primary outcome parameters. Within a cohort of 28,323 directly admitted adult major trauma patients at a European trauma center, 1593 (5.6