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



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