Complications Associated with Severe Hypophosphatemia in the Perioperative Period

Hypophosphatemia may be associated with a number of complications in the perioperative period, especially after cardiac or other major surgery.

Possible complications:

(1) heart failure

(2) profound muscle weakness with or without rhabdomyolysis

(3) respiratory insufficiency secondary to muscle weakness

(4) nervous system dysfunction

(5) metabolic acidosis

(6) poor glycemic control

Features:

(1) presence of hypophosphatemia (serum inorganic phosphorus very low)

(2) presence of one or more complications

(3) absence of alternative explanation

(4) correction of complications following phosphate repletion

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