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Updated: Jul 18, 2025

Expired CO2 Measurement in Intubated or Spontaneously Breathing Patients from the Emergency Department
Published on: January 29, 2011
The Effect of Hyperventilation Syndrome on Ionized and Serum Calcium: A Case Presentation in the Emergency Department
Casey McGillicuddy1, Caroline Molins1
1Emergency Medicine, AdventHealth East Orlando, Orlando, USA.
Abstract:
Hyperventilation syndrome is described as a constellation of symptoms that are typically benign but can become a medical emergency in the setting of severe metabolic derangement secondary to shifts in a patient's pH. A 36-year-old male with a history of intravenous (IV) drug abuse presented to the emergency department (ED) in distress, complaining of diffuse muscle cramping with tetany and peripheral vasospasm. This case report discusses his initial ED testing and treatment when ionized calcium was low and serum calcium was high.
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