Tachypnea - Differential Diagnosis Framework Definitions • Tachypnea: Respiratory rate > 20/min, shallow breathing in adults • Hyperpnea: Respiratory rate > 20/min, deep breathing Pulmonary Causes of Tachypnea: • Asthma • COPD • Pneumonia • CHF • Pneumothorax • Upper airway obstruction • Paradoxical vocal fold motion (PVFM) Cardiac Causes of Tachypnea: • Pulmonary embolism • Cardiac ischemia • Pericardial effusion/Tamponade Hematologic Causes of Tachypnea: • Anemia Metabolic Causes of Tachypnea: • Metabolic acidosis • DKA • Salicylate poisoning, dehydration • Hypovolemic shock (blood and fluid loss) • Alcoholic, or starvation ketoacidosis • Severe kidney dysfunction; toxic ingestions or exposures • Lactic acidosis of any cause • Carbon monoxide poisoning Nervous System Dysfunction Causes of Tachypnea: • Post-Ictal/Grand mal seizure • Brainstem pathology: - Tumors - Inflammation • Central neurogenic hyperventilation Endocrine Causes of Tachypnea: • Hyperthyroidism • Pheochromocytoma Other Causes of Tachypnea: • Physiologic response: Exercise • Temperature/FEVER • Sepsis • Psychiatric: Anxiety, fright, pain #Tachypnea #Hyperpnea #Differential #Diagnosis #pulmonary
