Hyperventilation syndrome
Alerts and Notices
Synopsis
The initial drop in PaCO2 leads to the symptoms described above along with a subsequent increase in minute ventilation to help alleviate the symptoms, only to make them worse with ongoing hyperventilation. Patients with hyperventilation syndrome often undergo an unrevealing medical evaluation for the etiology of their hyperventilation. Many of these patients develop anxiety about the high likelihood and unpredictable nature of potential future hyperventilation attacks.
While anxiety disorders and panic attacks may be both an initiating and sustaining factor for hyperventilation syndrome, they are not necessary for the development of chronic hypocapnia.
Codes
ICD10CM:R06.4 – Hyperventilation
SNOMEDCT:
191956005 – Psychogenic hyperventilation
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
Due to the nature of the symptoms that may arise during hyperventilation, the differential is broad and may include:- Arrhythmia or myocardial infarction
- Stroke or seizure
- Asthma exacerbation
- Pneumothorax
- Pulmonary embolism
- Ketoacidosis (eg, diabetic ketoacidosis)
- Hyperthyroidism
- Acute panic attack / panic disorder
- Congestive heart failure
- Pleural effusion
- Pneumonia (bacterial, viral)
- Interstitial lung disease
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References
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Last Reviewed:03/27/2019
Last Updated:11/03/2019
Last Updated:11/03/2019