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Updated: Sep 23, 2025

A Model to Simulate Clinically Relevant Hypoxia in Humans
Published on: December 22, 2016
Hyperventilation-Induced Hypocapnia in an Aviator
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Physiological episodes are a top safety concern for aviators across the United States military. While many cases and a variety of causes for physiological episodes have been described, few cases, if any, have been reported of hyperventilation-induced hypocapnia and transient loss of consciousness.CASE REPORT: Here we describe a case of an aviator who experienced tingling extremities, confusion, and loss of consciousness during a flight. The aviator incorrectly believed he was experiencing hypoxia and continued to take multiple steps to troubleshoot the wrong underlying problem for his symptoms. Evaluation after landing suggested this was instead a stress-induced hyperventilation that resulted in symptomatic hypocapnia.DISCUSSION: We report this case to add to the body of literature in understanding this phenomenon as well as to provide aviators, physiologists, and flight surgeons with practical suggestions for recognizing hyperventilation-induced hypocapnia and awareness of how to remedy this situation when they recognize it.Kramer KEP, Anderson EE.
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