Panic-related hyperventilation resulting in hypophosphataemia and a high lactate.

Abstract

A 22-year-old lady presented to the emergency department with dyspnoea and pleuritic chest pain. Life-threatening asthma, pulmonary embolus and pneumothorax were all excluded. However, investigations did show an unexplained hypophosphataemia and raised lactate, both of which were subsequently attributed to hyperventilation with a component of panic. Here we explore the mechanism of these findings and the management of hypophosphataemia.

• Authors: Nicolas Suarez, Nerys Conway, Tom Pickett
• Journal: BMJ case reports (BMJ Case Rep) Vol. 2013 (May 09 2013) ISSN: 1757-790X [Electronic] England
• PMID: 23667220 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Lactic Acid

Topics

• Adult
• Chest Pain (etiology)
• Dyspnea (etiology)
• Female
• Humans
• Hyperventilation (blood, complications)
• Hypophosphatemia (blood, etiology)
• Lactic Acid (blood)
• Panic
• Young Adult