Panic-related hyperventilation resulting in hypophosphataemia and a high lactate. (9th May 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Suarez, Nicolas; Conway, Nerys; Pickett, Tom
• Is Part Of: BMJ case reports. Volume 2013
• Publication Date: 2013-05-09
• Subjects: Medicine -- Case studies -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1136/bcr-2013-009307
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1757-790X

Abstract

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.