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Case Reports
. 2020 May 25;12(5):e8269.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.8269.

Albuterol-Induced Type B Lactic Acidosis: Not an Uncommon Finding

Sreenath Meegada  1 , Vijayadershan Muppidi  2 , Suman Siddamreddy  3 , Tejo Challa  1 , Shravan K Katta  4   5
Affiliations
Case Reports

Albuterol-Induced Type B Lactic Acidosis: Not an Uncommon Finding

Sreenath Meegada et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Lactic acidosis (LA) is usually a medical emergency diagnosed by laboratory evaluation in emergency rooms (ERs) and hospital settings in critically ill patients. LA is classified into two major types based on pathophysiology; type A results from tissue hypoxia and/or hypoperfusion and type B results from deranged metabolic activity in the cells in the absence of hypoxia/hypoperfusion. Prompt evaluation and treatment are essential to prevent morbidity and mortality, especially in patients with type A LA. Most cases of LA are due to type A (hypoperfusion/hypoxia). However, with increased testing of lactic acid levels in ERs and hospitals, we are encountering a few cases of type B LA as well. Diagnosing the exact type is crucial because of differences in management. We here describe a patient with albuterol-induced type B LA, which resolved after discontinuing the albuterol breathing treatments.

Keywords: albuterol; lactic acidosis; type b lactic acidosis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Chest X-ray showing emphysematous changes, no focal consolidation (arrows pointing)
Figure 2
Figure 2. Computed tomography scan of chest showed emphysematous changes with no pulmonary embolism or aortic dissection (arrows pointing)
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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