Lethal hyperparathyroid crisis: hazards of phosphate administration.
Two patients with hypercalcemia crisis and parathyroid adenoma died as a result of pulmonary insufficiency. The administration of phosphate is believed to have contributed to the deaths, since the pulmonary problems appeared when the blood [Ca] X [PO4] product rose and extensive metastatic calcification was present in the pulmonary alveolar lining. The use of phosphates as calcium-lowering agents in hypercalcemia is discouraged, because phosphate appears to lower calcium levels only by intravascular precipitation.
Department of Surgery, St. John's Mercy Medical Center, St. Louis, Mo.
A M
AM
Vernava
L W
LW
O'Neal
V
V
Palermo
D000236:Adenoma / Q000150:complications; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002114:Calcinosis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006934:Hypercalcemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D006961:Hyperparathyroidism / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D010282:Parathyroid Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D010710:Phosphates / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012131:Respiratory Insufficiency / Q000209:etiology
D010710:Phosphates