Respiratory alkalosis occurs when increased ventilation removes CO2 faster than it is produced. Eventually a new steady state is reached at a lower pCO2.
Causes
| Hypoxia | Intrinsic pulmonary disease, altitude, heart failure, cyanotic congenital heart disease |
| Pulmonary receptor stimulation | Pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, asthma, pulmonary oedema |
| Drugs | Salicylates, catecholamines, theophylline |
| CNS disorders | Subarachnoid haemorrhage, Cheyne-Stokes ventilation |
| Miscellaneous | Psychogenic hyperventilation, fever, recovery from metabolic acidosis |