Persistent Lactate Elevation in a Patient with Asthma Exacerbation and a Congenital Portosystemic Shunt: A Case Report and Literature Review

TL;DR

An elderly man with asthma and a liver shunt had high lactate levels due to a rare combination of factors, highlighting the need for careful evaluation of lactic acidosis.

Contribution

This case report highlights a rare association between congenital portosystemic shunts and beta-agonist-induced type B lactic acidosis.

Findings

A 95-year-old patient with asthma exacerbation and a congenital portosystemic shunt had persistent hyperlactatemia.

Beta-adrenergic agonists may contribute to type B lactic acidosis in patients with impaired lactate clearance.

Structural liver abnormalities may play a role in reduced lactate metabolism.

Abstract

Background and Clinical Significance: When lactate production surpasses the body’s clearance capacity, hyperlactatemia (lactate ≥ 2 mmol/L) or lactic acidosis (lactate ≥ 4 mmol/L) can develop. Lactic acidosis is classified into type A, which arises from regional or global tissue hypoperfusion, and type B, resulting from metabolic disturbances without tissue hypoxia. Type A lactic acidosis, often associated with conditions like sepsis or shock, is a critical marker of life-threatening conditions, whereas type B lactic acidosis is less frequently recognized in clinical practice. Case Presentation: A 95-year-old man presents with an asthma exacerbation and is treated with an albuterol inhaler. However, he is found to have persistently high lactate levels. Further investigation reveals a congenital intrahepatic portosystemic shunt on imaging. This, in conjunction with the ongoing use of beta-adrenergic receptor agonists, contributes to the development of type B lactic acidosis. Conclusions: The impact of lactic acidosis depends on its severity and clinical context. While beta agonists are a recognized cause of type B lactic acidosis, a potential role for structural liver abnormalities in reduced lactate clearance must be examined further.

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