• SepúlvedaRodrigo ARADepartamento de Nefrología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile., Javier Romero, Sebastián Sepúlveda, and Cristián Juanet.
• Departamento de Nefrología, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
• Rev Med Chil. 2022 Apr 1; 150 (4): 554-558.

AbstractSevere respiratory alkalosis is a life-threatening condition, as it induces hypo- calcaemia and extreme adrenergic sensitivity leading to cerebral and myocardial vasoconstriction. We report a 37-year-old woman with previous consultations for a conversion disorder. While she was infected with SARS-CoV-2 (without pulmonary involvement), she consulted in the emergency room due to panic attacks. On admission, she developed a new conversion crisis with progressive clinical deterioration, hyperventilation, and severe respiratory alkalosis (pH 7.68, Bicarbonate 11.8 mEq/L and PaCO2 10 mmHg). Clinically, she was in a coma, with respiratory and heart rates 55 and 180 per min, a blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg, impaired perfusion (generalized lividity, distal coldness, and severe skin mottling) and tetany. She also had electrocardiographic changes and high troponin levels suggestive of ischemia, and hyperlactatemia. She was managed in the hospital with intravenous benzodiazepines. The clinical and laboratory manifestations resolved quickly, without the need for invasive measures and without systemic repercussions.

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