ICA

Abbreviation with 2 meanings

ICA
Stands forInternal carotid artery
Meanings2
CategoriesMedical
Also writteniCa

ICA has two meanings. It stands for Internal carotid artery (anatomy) or Ionized calcium (laboratory test).

Meanings of ICA at a glance

#ICA stands forContext
1Internal carotid arteryMedical › Anatomy
2Ionized calciumMedical › Laboratory Test

1. Internal carotid artery

Medical · Anatomy Abbreviations

Branch of the common carotid artery that ascends through the skull base to supply most of the brain's anterior circulation and, through its ophthalmic branch, the eye. Atherosclerotic narrowing at its origin in the neck is a major cause of stroke and transient ischemic attack.

Example: Duplex: 80% proximal left ICA stenosis; symptomatic, vascular surgery referral.

The ICA gives off no branches in the neck, one way surgeons and sonographers tell it from the external carotid. Symptomatic stenosis of 70 to 99 percent benefits from carotid endarterectomy, as shown by the NASCET trial in 1991. Dissection of the ICA is an important cause of stroke in younger adults and can produce neck pain with a Horner syndrome.

2. Ionized calcium (iCa)

Medical · Laboratory Test Abbreviations

Free, biologically active calcium in blood, about half of the total, measured directly by ion-selective electrode on blood gas and critical care analyzers. Typical values are roughly 1.12 to 1.32 mmol/L, and it is preferred over total calcium in critical illness, massive transfusion and low-albumin states.

Example: iCa 0.88 after 10 units of blood; calcium chloride 1 g given.

Citrate in stored blood binds calcium, so massive transfusion can drop ionized calcium sharply. Blood pH matters: alkalosis increases calcium binding to albumin and lowers iCa, explaining tingling and muscle spasms during hyperventilation. Samples must be collected without air exposure and analyzed promptly.

More anatomy abbreviations

  • ECA – External carotid artery
  • EJ – External jugular (vein)
  • EOM – Extraocular muscles (movements)
  • GB – Gallbladder
  • ICS – Intercostal space
  • IJ – Internal jugular (vein)
  • IMA – Inferior mesenteric artery
  • IT band – Iliotibial band

See all 70 anatomy abbreviations →

More laboratory test abbreviations

  • HDL – High-density lipoprotein (cholesterol)
  • HFP – Hepatic function panel
  • Hgb – Hemoglobin
  • hs-CRP – High-sensitivity C-reactive protein
  • INR – International normalized ratio
  • K – Potassium
  • LDH – Lactate dehydrogenase
  • LDL – Low-density lipoprotein (cholesterol)

See all 135 laboratory test abbreviations →

Edited by the AbbreviationList.com team. Spotted an error or a missing meaning? Contact us.

This entry is for general education and is not medical advice. Abbreviation use varies between institutions; always confirm in context.