International Archives of Medicine
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Case reportA case of lactic acidosis complicating assessment and management of asthmaTonny V Veenith1 and Abigail Pearce2  1
Specialist Registrar, Department of Anaesthetics, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, UK 2
Foundation House Officer Year 2, Neurosciences Critical Care Unit, Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, UK author email corresponding author email
International Archives of Medicine 2008,
1:3doi:10.1186/1755-7682-1-3 Abstract
Introduction
Lactic acidosis often occurs in severely unwell patients presenting to Accident and Emergency. It is commonly associated with either hypoxia or decreased tissue perfusion secondary due to cardiovascular collapse or sepsis.
Case presentation
We present a case of severe lactic acidosis in the presence of normal tissue perfusion and oxygenation in a 31-year-old patient with poorly-controlled asthma. Acidosis promptly reversed on discontinuation of inhaled beta-agonists.
Conclusion
Lactic acidosis secondary to inhaled beta-agonist administration may be a common scenario which can be misinterpreted very easily and can confuse the clinical picture. Further studies will be needed to establish the exact aetiology of this lactic acid production. |