Severe hypercapnia in a myxedematous patient
S. Toukmatzi, K. Bikou, E.N. Kosmas, E. Tassiopoulou, S. Parastatidis, A. Damianos

SUMMARY: A patient suffering from severe hypercapnia secondary to hypothyreoidism is presented. Replacement therapy with thyroid hormones was instituted. After a period of two months the patient showed a remarkable improvement of his functional respiratory parameters, blood gases, PI_max, PE_max, Pdi_max and of his overall clinical status and laboratory tests. The literature is briefly reviewed and correlated to this case. Pneumon 1999, 12(3):203-206
Key words: Severe hypercapnia, hypothyreoidism, thyroid hormones.

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