NCIt definition : The trisodium salt form of calcium diethylene triamine pentaacetate (Ca-DTPA or pentetate
calcium) with chelating activity. Upon administration, Ca-DTPA loses the Ca ion to
form stable chelates with metal ions because DTPA has a higher affinity for heavy
metal ions than for Ca ions. Specifically, this agent is able to bind to and form
strong complexes with radioactive plutonium, americium, and cerium after internal
contamination with any of these radionuclides thereby increasing their excretion.;